Asia Cup 2025: 'Shivam Dube's spell was the turning point' - Suryakumar Yadav

India captain Suryakumar Yadav credited the halfway point of the first innings for turning the tide in India’s Super Four clash against Pakistan on Sunday, September 21, in Dubai. At the 10-over mark, Pakistan was cruising steadily and scoring heavily, however, the momentum shifted slightly in India's favour, and the skipper credited the same to bowlers, especially the spell of Shivam Dube.

After the interval, India managed to slow down Pakistan, with the next seven overs yielding just 38 runs, the lowest total for any team between overs 10-17 in the tournament. Suryakumar praised Dube for his extraordinary display in his four overs on Sunday, calling it a crucial turning point in the match.

"According to me, the turning point was in the first drinks in the first innings. People changed their body language after that. You always see the game changes generally after the powerplay. But today, the game changed after ten overs, when the bowlers changed their line and lengths, understood what was needed in that situation, and showed a little more energy. The spinners bowled well. And according to me, Shivam Dube's spell, you can say that it was a turning point,” Suryakumar said after the match.

Dube, in his 38-match T20I career, bowled his full quota of overs for only the third time. His brilliant spell helped compensate for Jasprit Bumrah, who had an off day. Bumrah conceded 34 runs in his three overs, his most expensive powerplay spell, but finished with figures of 4-0-45-0. On the other hand, Axar Patel 

“Dube's preparations are always on point”

It was around Bumrah’s spell that the all-rounder made significant breakthroughs, finishing with 2 for 33, including the wickets of Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan. Ayub’s dismissal was particularly crucial, breaking a flourishing 72-run partnership for the second wicket off just 48 balls. Then, in the 15th over, the all-rounder removed Farhan for 58, trapping him with an off-cutter that was guided to mid-off.

"He has been working really hard on his bowling in all the practice sessions. And this was the perfect game where he got an opportunity. He always wanted to bowl at least two overs. And today he got to bowl his quota of overs, so he was very happy. And the way he delivered, he had very clear plans,” said Suryakumar.

"I mean, I am only batting in the nets when he bowls a lot. He bowls to all the proper batters. Sometimes, he also bowls with the new ball. So his preparations are always on point. And whenever he gets an opportunity like this, like today, I think he will always be ready to deliver for the team,” the captain added.