Abhishek Nayar Showers Huge Praise On Shivam Dube For His Brilliant Performance In Australia, Says, 'Don't Feel Absence...'

IND vs AUS 5th T20I: Ex-India coach Abhishek Nayar has showered huge praise on Shivam Dube for the way he replaced Hardik Pandya in the T20I series against Australia. Pandya has stayed out of action after sustaining an injury in the Asia Cup 2025 final against arch-rival Pakistan.

But in his absence, Dube has stood up as an all-rounder and has bowled brilliantly for the team. And that's why Abhishek Nayar praised him for his flexibility.

"We always say that Hardik Pandya is the kind of all-rounder that India requires. But game after game, Shivam Dube has shown that he can be that all-rounder as well. You don't really feel the absence of Hardik Pandya because Shivam bowls important overs, takes key wickets, and contributes with the bat in different situations," Nayar was quoted as saying on JioHotstar.

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Nayar also revealed that Dube performed well in every challenge that the team management put him in.

"He scored crucial runs and took two big wickets when Australia were looking to accelerate. Whenever he has been challenged by this Indian team management, he has come up with flying colours. He may not be tagged as 'the all-rounder', but he does everything that an Indian all-rounder needs to do," he said.

Dube had scored a gritty knock of 22 runs in the 4th match, and he then took two wickets. He registered figures of 2/20 and helped the team win the match. In the Asia Cup final as well, he had bowled economically, 0/23 in Pandya's absence.

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He also scored a gritty knock of 33 runs off 22 balls and helped the team win the title. At the same time, he will aim to maintain his sublime form in the last T20I.