India all-rounder Shivam Dube has addressed concerns over the team’s struggling batting line-up, admitting that the pressure of the World Cup has forced the batsmen to take a situational approach rather than the aggressive intentions that have been evident in recent bilateral talks.
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Appearance at the following post-match press conference India’s 17-run win over NetherlandsDube acknowledged how the tournament’s high stakes have changed the team’s approach, especially when early wickets are falling.
Abhishek Sharma, who was instrumental in India’s recent T20I success, failed to score even once in three World Cup matches. Dube explained how such setbacks are forcing middle-order batsmen like Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma to recalibrate.
“Sir, this is the World Cup. The game is a bit difficult, it’s not easy. If we don’t get the start we want, then Tilak and Surya’s game is different. They bat according to the situation. If the situation calls for it, they have to bat accordingly,” said Dube.
“If Tilak has to bat in a particular situation then he will and I don’t need to say anything about Surya because he is the player who can put the team in the best position,” he added.
Dube also emphasized that there is more to T20 cricket at this level than aggressive moves. It requires handling pressure and knowing when to absorb the balls.
“Yes, of course when you play dot balls in T20 you get pressure. But as a player, as a batsman at that time, I know that maybe right now if I’m on two runs in 10 balls, but in the next five balls, if I hit two sixes, it will be covered,” explained Dube.
DOES INDIA HAVE CONCERNS VS OFF-SPIN?
Dube was also asked about India’s apparent vulnerability to off-spin. Namibia’s Gerhard Erasmus has worried the batting order in the earlier group stage clash, as well as Pakistani Usman Tariq. Against Netherlands, Aryan Dutt dismissed both Abhishek and Ishan Kishan.
However, Dube dismissed suggestions of a significant weakness and backed his team-mates to find a solution.
“It’s nothing. They don’t talk because sometimes the batsmen fail to hit some balls and yes, it’s just one shot. They will start batting one shot and yes, there will be no talk of off-spin in the upcoming matches,” said Dube.
When asked about India’s inability to post 200-plus totals, which have become routine in bilateral matches ahead of the tournament, Dube defended the team’s tactical qualities, insisting that they understand what constitutes a competitive score on different surfaces.
“Sir, we know what we are scoring is one of the best scores. Like today we scored more than 190 on this wicket and it was not easy to score on this wicket. Not from us but from any team playing they wouldn’t give so many points. So what our team is scoring is I think the best wicket score,” he concluded.
India’s focus now shifts to the Super 8s where they will continue their dominant run in the hope of becoming the first team to successfully defend the T20 World Cup title.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
February 19, 2026