Shivam Dube brings flair as well as fortitude to India’s middle order

Shivam Dube’s blend of flair and composure strengthens India’s middle-order engine in T20 World Cup 2026 pressure situations.

Shivam Dube’s commanding knock against the Netherlands sealed India’s clean sweep of Group A at the T20 World Cup 2026 and underlined his value to the side. Each time the top order has wobbled under pressure, he has stepped in to steady the innings and rebuild momentum, ensuring the team never lost control of the contest.

His middle-order contributions have been consistently vital. While others may dominate the headlines, Dube often delivers the decisive, momentum-shifting impact that sustains India’s campaign, an understated presence whose influence extends well beyond the scorecard.

Read More: T20 World Cup 2026, IND vs NED: Shivam Dube, Varun Chakravarthy help India sweep group stage

The Batting Curve
Shivam Dube primarily batted at No. 5 and No. 6 in 2024 and 2025, and he has clearly transformed into a consistent middle-order player in T20 cricket. His performances were frequently reactive in nature – taking a stand when needed and not trying to reach any personal goals.

In 2024, Shivam Dube played 15 T20Is, batting in 13 innings and remaining unbeaten four times, scoring 296 runs at a strike rate of 134.54. His highest score was an unbeaten 63 against Afghanistan, and he registered two half-centuries across the year. With 18 fours and 15 sixes, Dube balanced controlled aggression with finishing ability, establishing himself as a reliable middle-order option.

He featured in 17 T20Is in 2025 but batted only 12 times, scoring 191 runs with a top score of 53 against England. Though his aggregate dipped, his strike rate jumped significantly to 152.8, indicating a more attacking role. He hit one fifty during the year, along with 18 fours and 10 sixes, reflecting a shift towards high-impact cameos rather than longer innings.

In 2026, across nine T20Is, including World Cup matches so far, Dube scored 233 runs in eight innings at a remarkable strike rate of 208.03, with a highest score of 66 against the Netherlands and two half-centuries overall. He struck 12 fours and an impressive 20 sixes, underlining a clear evolution into a power-hitting role.

Shivam Dube’s T20I batting stats in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026

Dube has thrived under pressure in the 2026 T20 World Cup, striking at 178.46 across four matches and establishing himself as a middle-order enforcer. Against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad, he walked in at 110-4 in the 14th over and, alongside Hardik Pandya, added 76 off 35 balls, scoring 66 off 31 to power India to 193-6. Earlier, he contributed a composed 27 off 17 against Pakistan, stabilising the innings during a difficult phase.

His versatility across middle-order roles, whether accelerating or rebuilding, has made him one of India’s most dependable performers in the tournament.

Read More: Shivam Dube vs Tim David: Which of these power-hitters will have greater impact in T20 WC 2026?

Bowling Dimension

In 2024, Dube bowled in seven innings across 15 T20Is, taking five wickets in 16 overs while conceding 144 runs. His best figures of 2-25 against Zimbabwe came at an average of 28.8 and an economy rate of 9, indicating he was largely used as a support option rather than a frontline bowler.

His role expanded significantly in 2025, when he bowled in 11 innings, conceding 215 runs and claiming 12 wickets in 25.3 overs. A standout spell of 3-4 underlined his impact potential, while his average improved to 17.91 and his economy dropped to 8.43, making it his most effective T20I bowling year.

In 2026, Dube bowled in five innings across nine matches, taking six wickets for 105 runs in 11.2 overs, with best figures of 2-28. He maintained a strong average of 17.5, though his economy rose slightly to 9.26, reinforcing his role as a useful but situational bowling option, with his World Cup performances assessed separately.

Shivam Dube’s T20I bowling stats in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026

In the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup, Shivam Dube has bowled in two innings across four matches, taking three wickets for 46 runs, with best figures of 2-35. He averages 15.33 and has an economy rate of 8.62, operating effectively as a support seam option capable of delivering timely breakthroughs in short spells.

While not always a first-choice bowler, Dube has steadily developed into a valuable middle-overs option for India. Since 2024, he has shown improved control and consistency, highlighted by impactful performances such as 3-4 against the UAE and 2-25 against Afghanistan, demonstrating his ability to shift momentum.

His two key wickets against the Netherlands in this World Cup further reinforced his versatility. By contributing as a medium-pace option who adds balance to both the batting and bowling units, Dube has evolved into a dependable all-round asset and a strong selection option in high-pressure international tournaments.

All-rounder powering India’s World Cup ambition
From the 2024 T20 World Cup to the ongoing edition, he has evolved into a highly effective all-rounder, improving his strike rate each year while strengthening his bowling returns. 23 of his 29 career T20I wickets have come since 2024, highlighting his growing impact. A reliable middle-order batter, many of his runs have come in high-pressure situations, where he has stabilised the innings after quick wickets and then shifted gears to accelerate when required. In a format where matches can change within 20 balls or a couple of overs, his ability to influence the game with both bat and ball makes him a crucial asset, significantly boosting India’s chances of lifting the trophy on home soil.

Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: What’s the issue with Abhishek Sharma?