"You don't really feel the absence of Hardik Pandya" - Abhishek Nayar's massive claim on Team India star after AUS vs IND 2025 4th T20I

Former Indian all-rounder Abhishek Nayar hailed Shivam Dube for neutralizing the impact of Hardik Pandya's absence after the fourth T20I against Australia in Carrara. Hardik has been out with an injury since the Asia Cup 2025 final against Pakistan, resulting in Dube taking over as the primary pace-bowling all-rounder.

Despite not being considered a pedigreed bowler, Dube has picked up vital wickets in the ongoing T20I series in Australia. The 32-year-old has dismissed the in-form Tim David in each of the last two outings, along with skipper Mitchell Marsh in the previous encounter.

Talking about Dube's underrated impact as an all-rounder on JioStar, Nayar said (via Hindustan Times):

“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."

Dube also stepped up big in the Asia Cup final in Hardik's absence, as the second seamer, bowling three overs for only 23 runs. He also scored a crucial 22-ball 33 in India's tense run-chase of 147, helping them win by five wickets.

"He does everything that an Indian all-rounder needs to do" - Abhishek Nayar

Abhishek Nayar further praised the all-around abilities of Shivam Dube in the shortest format, pointing to how the all-rounder has answered all the challenges thrown at him. The Mumbai-born cricketer has become a mainstay in India's T20I setup, following his timely contributions with bat and ball.

"Today again, 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," said Nayar (via the aforementioned source).

Dube was part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning side and boasts impressive overall T20I numbers. The 32-year-old has a batting average of over 27 with a strike rate of 138.26, along with 21 wickets at an average of 29, in 45 T20I outings.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran