‘He was bowling on the sixth stump’: Ex-India cricketer blasts Shivam Dube’s Zimbabwe performance

Shivam Dube’s recent performance against Zimbabwe has sparked a fiery debate, and let's be honest, not all the reviews are glowing. One former India cricketer didn’t mince words, suggesting Dube was consistently bowling outside the off-stump, a line that's hardly going to trouble top-order batsmen in the T20 World Cup.

Dube has been a topic of conversation ever since his resurgence in the IPL 2024, where his power-hitting for the Chennai Super Kings grabbed everyone's attention. That earned him a ticket to the T20 World Cup. The hope was that he'd provide some much-needed muscle in the middle order and chip in with a few overs. However, his outings against Zimbabwe haven't exactly set the world on fire. He hasn't been tonking the ball like we saw in the IPL, and those gentle medium-pacers have looked, well, rather gentle.

The story so far is one of unfulfilled potential, at least in this series. Dube hasn't been able to replicate his IPL heroics. The question is, why? Is it the pressure of the World Cup? Is it the different conditions? Or is it simply that opposition bowlers have figured him out?

Here's the thing: Shivam Dube's role in this Indian side is very specific. He's not expected to be a Jasprit Bumrah with the ball, but he needs to be more than just someone who fills in the overs. He needs to be a credible bowling option, someone who can break partnerships or keep things tight in the middle overs. And with the bat, he's there to provide that late-innings flourish, that six-hitting ability that can change the course of a game.

What's fascinating is how quickly perceptions can change in cricket. Just a few weeks ago, Dube was being hailed as the answer to India's middle-order woes. Now, after a couple of underwhelming performances against Zimbabwe, some are already questioning his place in the side. That's the brutal reality of professional sport. But let's not write him off just yet. We've seen what he's capable of. The talent is there. It's about harnessing it on the biggest stage.

The numbers tell a story, but they don't always tell the whole story. Yes, Dube's bowling figures might not be flattering, and yes, he might not have scored as many runs as we'd like. But he brings a certain X-factor to the team, a certain explosiveness that very few others possess. India needs that. And they need to give him the confidence to express himself. Tactically, perhaps India could look at using Dube in more favourable match-ups, bringing him on when the conditions suit his bowling style or when the opposition has a particular weakness against his type of bowling.

Looking ahead, the pressure is on Shivam Dube to deliver. He needs to show that he can perform consistently at this level. The upcoming matches in the T20 World Cup 2026 will be crucial for him. Can he rediscover his IPL form? Can he become a reliable bowling option? These are the questions that will determine his future in the Indian team. All eyes will be on him.