“He is like my brother” - Shivam Dube dismisses comparisons with Hardik Pandya

Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube has dismissed the comparison with his colleague Hardik Pandya, stating that he is like an elder brother to him and has been learning constantly from the all-rounder.

Speaking at the post-match press conference after the game against the UAE, Dube stated that he always keeps asking questions to Hardik, not just in bowling but also about batting, adding that he never thinks about the comparisons.

“Hardik is the kind of player from whom I keep learning. He is like my brother. His experience in the IPL and international cricket is huge. I want to learn as much as I can from him. I keep asking him questions, even about batting. I have never thought about comparisons. All I want, playing alongside him, is to learn and use that knowledge to improve myself,” Dube said at the post-match press conference.

Furthermore, Dube also made it clear to the reporters about his bowling role, which was well explained to him by the head coach and bowling coach before the start of the Asia Cup 2025 campaign.

"The captain and the coach told me earlier itself that I will bowl [at the Asia Cup] and that they are confident about me. My bowling coach [Morne Morkel] has told me a lot of things. I was preparing for this for a long time, that I will get an opportunity to bowl and when it comes, I'll be ready. What happened today is because of that preparation,” he added.

Moreover, Dube also revealed the Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir’s motivational message while representing the Indian team. Notably, Dube scalped three wickets, conceding four runs in his two-over spell vs UAE.

"Our coach has said something that has always been in my heart and mind: that whenever you go on the ground, whenever you represent your country, you have a chance to do something big for the country,” he concluded.

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