Shivam Dube remained the architect of India's series-clinching 15-run win over England in the fourth T20I in Pune on January 31. Returning to India's T20I fold after the T20 World Cup 2024 final, Shivam Dube cracked a fiery fifty off just 31 balls at a stunning strike rate of 167.7 to help India post a challenging total of 181/9. In reply, England were restricted to 166. But England could have easily avoided Dube's batting blitzkrieg, which became the deciding factor in the match. England captain Jos Buttler dropped Dube's catch off the very first ball he faced. India were teetering at 57/4 when Dube walked in. Dube tossed the ball in the air off Adil Rashid's bowling in the eighth over but Buttler failed to pouch the catch, giving the southpaw a lease of life. The star India batter made full use of the second life and combined with Hardik Pandya to to punish England bowlers. Dube was hence adjudged the Player of the Match for his exceptional batting show.
Jos Buttler rues dropping Shivam Dube's catch
Meanwhile, in the post-match presentation, Buttler admitted England could have gone for a win and also rued dropping Dube's catch.
"We started brilliantly, taking wickets in the powerplay and we were in a great position at the end of the batting powerplay. We should have gone onto win the game. We did some really good things in the game. We dropped Dube first ball and he went to play a really good innings. With the bat, we were in a fantastic position and lost a couple of key wickets," Buttler said after the match.
Shivam Dube's batting heroics in India's win in 4th T20I
Dube's return to the Indian team proved crucial in Pune, as his 53-run innings off 37 balls propelled India to a total of 181 in their 20 overs. Dube's knock, which included seven boundaries and two sixes, provided a much-needed late flourish after a shaky start that saw Saqib Mahmood dismantle India's top order.
Dube's intentions were clear from the outset after getting a second chance in the 8th over, as he dispatched Adil Rashid for a six off his second delivery. His ability to handle spin, a role he plays for his IPL team, CSK, was on full display against Rashid. India faced further trouble with the loss of Rinku Singh, but Hardik Pandya's arrival at the crease sparked a sensational counter-attack. The two all-rounders took England by surprise with their aggressive approach. Dube continued to trouble Rashid, hitting him for a four and a six in the 14th over, accelerating India's innings. While Hardik unleashed his explosive batting from the other end, reaching his fifty in just 27 balls, Dube maintained a steady pace.
Dube then targeted Archer, hitting him for a boundary as the two batsmen began to exploit the England bowling attack. Their 87-run partnership was the second-highest for India for the sixth wicket or lower, highlighting its significance.
After Hardik's dismissal, Dube took on the responsibility of batting till the end. He reached his fifty off 31 balls with two consecutive boundaries against Carse in the 19th over. Dube remained at the crease until the final delivery, ultimately getting run out, but ensuring India reached their desired total.
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