T20 World Cup 2026 debate: Shivam Dube or Tim David — which power-hitter offers greater value in crunch situations?
Since the beginning of 2025, India’s Shivam Dube has recorded a blistering T20I strike rate of 193.62 in nine innings during the death overs (16-20). In the same period, Australia’s Tim David has pocketed 44 runs in three T20I innings during the last five overs at a strike rate of 162.96. Both these players will be vital for their respective teams heading into the T20 World Cup 2026.
During the previous T20 World Cup 2024, the pair earned massive success during the death overs. Dube gained 57 runs at a strike rate of 150 with three sixes. He didn’t get many chances due to India’s strong batting unit. Meanwhile, David notched up 57 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 172.73 with three sixes and five boundaries.
Shivam Dube vs Tim David- Analysis of T20I impact
Overall in their respective careers, Dube and David have been successful in the T20Is. In terms of batting in the middle overs (7-15), the former has scored a total of 489 runs in his 29 T20I innings. His strike rate remains just over 150 in this aspect, with 32 sixes.
On the other hand, David has accumulated 548 T20I runs in 34 innings at 30.44 during the middle overs. His strike rate of 156.57 is equally impressive and has bailed Australia out of trouble on numerous occasions.
Even after the T20 World Cup 2024, the duo has improved their batting in the middle overs. Dube’s career strike rate of 150.46 in that phase has gone up to 168.53. Subsequently, David struck at 183.73 since July 2024 in overs between seven and 15.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: Why rest of the teams need to be cautious against India’s fiery batting line up
Shivam Dube and Tim David’s T20I middle overs (7-15) performance
| Shivam Dube | Tim David | |||
| Overall | Post T20 WC 2024 | Overall | Post T20 WC 2024 | |
| Inns | 29 | 14 | 34 | 14 |
| Runs | 489 | 241 | 548 | 305 |
| Avg | 37.62 | 34.43 | 30.44 | 33.89 |
| SR | 150.46 | 168.53 | 156.57 | 183.73 |
| 50s/100s | 28/32 | 12/18 | 37/38 | 16/27 |
| HS | 65 | 65 | 89 | 89 |
For these two players, the most important factor is the death overs’ (16-20) batting. Dube has an overall T20I strike rate of 164.47 in his career during the last five overs of the innings. However, it has gone up to 198.18 since the end of the T20 World Cup 2024.
Meanwhile, David has been explosive with a career T20I strike rate of 203.74 in the death overs. In that comparison, it has dropped to 169.44 post the last World Cup.
Shivam Dube and Tim David’s T20I death overs (16-20) performance
| Shivam Dube | Tim David | |||
| Overall | Post T20 WC 2024 | Overall | Post T20 WC 2024 | |
| Inns | 23 | 10 | 21 | 05 |
| Runs | 250 | 109 | 381 | 61 |
| Avg | 20.83 | 18.17 | 34.64 | 30.50 |
| SR | 164.47 | 198.18 | 203.74 | 169.44 |
| 4s/6s | 21/14 | 13/06 | 28/30 | 04/06 |
| HS | 24 | 23 | 39 | 27 |
Since the end of the previous T20 World Cup 2024, Dube has crossed the 25-run mark in six T20I innings for India. Out of those, the national team has earned victories five times. In those five innings, the left-handed batter has an average of 44.5 and a strike rate of 179.79, which reflects the importance of the batter.
On the flip of the coin, David has met the 25-run mark in six T20I innings since the end of the previous T20 World Cup. And Australia have won four of those. David has bagged 240 runs in those four innings at an average of 90.66 and a strike rate of 186.30, thanks to one century and one fifty.
Read More: IND vs NZ 2025-26, 3rd T20I: India execute fastest chase in match involving Test teams (150+ target)
Most T20 runs post T20 World Cup 2024 in death overs (16-20)
| Inns | Runs | Avg | SR | 4s/6s | HS | |
| S Dube | 25 | 308 | 20.53 | 167.39 | 18/00 | 30 |
| T David | 35 | 431 | 20.52 | 166.41 | 29/33 | 37 |
Shivam Dube and Tim David use brutal power and temperament for death overs heroics
For any batter to earn success during the last five overs of the innings, it’s important to generate power and collect continuous sixes. Both Dube and David are capable of that. Moreover, they have the maturity to bail out the team in a crisis.
Dube showed that capability against New Zealand during the fourth T20I of the five-match series in Visakhapatnam. He almost took India over the line before facing an unfortunate run-out dismissal.
The southpaw arrived at the crease in the ninth over of the 216-run chase after the dismissal of Hardik Padya. He put the very first ball from Mitchell Santner into the stands and continued the onslaught for his entire stay.
He ended up with 65 runs in mere 23 balls with the help of three boundaries and seven sixes. The Mumbai-born was crystal clear in his mind in nailing all of those seven over boundaries, which was the biggest reason for the smooth connection. Dube’s spin hitting has been exceptional as he collected 29 runs in a single over off Ish Sodhi.
Meanwhile, David has proved this ability several times. Against India in Hobart last year, he got a promotion at number five and walked out in the ninth over of the innings. From the very first ball, the Singapore-born had the license to free his arms. He pocketed 74 runs in just 38 balls, scoring on eight boundaries and five sixes.
Dube has been a regular member of the Indian side in T20Is, and so has been David for Australia. Heading into the T20 World Cup 2026, both teams will want the best version of these two players. India begin their World Cup campaign against United States of America on February 07 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Meanwhile, Australia will lock horns with Ireland in their opening game on February 11 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Read More: Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026, which are the areas India need to address in T20I series against NZ?
