India’s Asia Cup plans are focused on striking the perfect balance, with bowling coach Morné Morkel highlighting the growing importance of Shivam Dube. The Mumbai all-rounder has become a regular feature in India’s T20I setup and is now being backed to play a bigger role.
Morkel revealed that the team sees Dube as a proper all-rounder who can bowl his full quota of overs when required. At the 2024 T20 World Cup, Dube’s selection was based on his all-round ability, but he bowled just one over against the USA. Now, under captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir, Dube is expected to showcase his full potential.
In India’s last T20I against England in February, Dube bowled two overs and picked up two wickets, proving his value with the ball. His contributions in the middle order with the bat have already given the side depth, but Morkel wants him to be ready to step up as a genuine bowling option.
“For me it’s always important to use Shivam as a guy who can bowl four overs,” Morkel said in the press conference. “I’m always pushing for all-rounders to work hard on both skills. Sometimes guys can get a little naughty in practice and focus on one. But here we want to leave no stone unturned. On the day, conditions might favour him more than somebody else, and he needs to be ready to deliver.”
Extra bowling options give India greater flexibility
India’s coaching staff, led by Gambhir and Morkel, is keen on building bowling depth by using batters as part-time options. Players like Rinku Singh, Abhishek Sharma, and even captain Suryakumar Yadav have rolled their arms over in recent matches. This approach reduces pressure on frontline bowlers and creates more tactical combinations.
“The more guys who can give the captain an over here and there, the better. Yes, we’ll have our frontline bowlers, but those extra options give us flexibility in selection and combinations,” Morkel added.
Such flexibility also aligns with Gambhir’s philosophy of packing the XI with multi-skilled players. For India, this strategy could prove crucial in conditions that change rapidly across venues in the Asia Cup.
India favourites to win Asia Cup 2025
The Asia Cup 2025 begins today, September 9, with Afghanistan taking on Hong Kong in Abu Dhabi. India, the tournament favourites, will kick off their campaign against UAE on September 10. Their key clash against Pakistan is scheduled for September 14, followed by a final group match against Oman on September 19.
The Men in Blue will rely on the balance of their squad, with frontline bowlers supported by all-rounders like Dube, Hardik Pandya, and part-time contributors. With Morkel’s emphasis on preparation and Gambhir’s focus on batting depth, India will look to dominate their rivals and lift another Asia Cup trophy.
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