Ashok Namboodiri in Dubai
India’s victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 final was historic. This win will go down in cricket’s annals for reasons beyond the game on the ground. Fans will sing praises for the manner in which Tilak Varma maintained composure as he steered the team to victory with that match-winning knock of 69. They will also talk about Kuldeep Yadav’s four-wicket haul. But the one player who acted as catalyst and guided the ship for India was Shivam Dube.
Hardik Pandya’s absence was a blow to India’s all-round depth. But the selectors’ faith in Dube, bringing him into the playing XI, was not misplaced. In a match of such magnitude, when margins are tight, the ability to offer value with both ball and bat becomes invaluable.
Dube’s contribution with the ball was quietly effective. Bowling in the Powerplay is rarely kind to medium pacers, yet he delivered two disciplined opening overs, conceding 12 runs without taking a wicket but helping contain the early surge. His role, in a way, was to support Jasprit Bumrah and the spin troika – ensuring the innings didn’t spin beyond reach.
In the words of skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the team reposed confidence in his ability to bowl with the new ball and also contribute with the bat. His innings of 33 from 22 balls, with two sixes and two fours, may not read like a match-winning one, but what it did was instil confidence in the team and reassure them that the match could indeed be won. His partnership with Tilak was more than just runs – it was psychological, a calming influence in a tense run chase. In pressure-cooker situations, such contributions often separate the winners from the also-rans.
Dube’s final performance reaffirmed a few salient truths about his game. Few players relish being thrust into dual roles in a high-stakes match. He did, and demonstrated versatility under pressure. His shots at crucial junctures showed he could handle the moment, not just the conditions, and that is tribute to his temparament. He didn’t force the chase; he supported it. He complemented Tilak’s anchor role.
Going into the final, there were a lot of questions asked about he fitted into the team. Many felt that Arshdeep Singh merited a look-in and that would strengthen the bowling depth. Coach Gautam Gambhir and Surya decided that he could absorb the pressure and deliver the goods.
In a tournament full of stars, Dube’s performance in the final garners a special place. It will go down as one of those innings that didn’t dominate headlines, but altered the trajectory of a match. In the narrative of Asia Cup 2025, as India clinched a dramatic win, Dube emerged as a quiet hero.
For selectors and coaches, the message is clear: his inclusion was vindicated. For fans, he becomes a more trusted weapon in the Indian arsenal. For Dube himself, this is perhaps a moment of affirmation – a reminder that when the pressure is most intense and the arc lights most bright, he too can shine.
As India celebrate a ninth Asia Cup title, let no one forget the part played by the man who bridged chaos and control. Shivam Dube may not always steal the spotlight. But in this final, he didn’t just light a spark – he fanned the fire.
For More Exciting Articles: Follow RevSportz