Shivam Dube backs India to bounce back in Zimbabwe T20I series
Synopsis
Reigning T20 World Cup champions India arrive in Harare on a six-match losing streak across two series, and it is Shivam Dube — not the captain — who has stepped up to address the slump publicly. His candid admission that 'the dip is there' sets a rare tone of accountability ahead of a series India cannot afford to lose if Shreyas Iyer's tenure is to gain traction.
Key Takeaways
Shivam Dube publicly admitted India's T20I form has dipped following 2-0 and 4-0 series losses to Ireland and England .
India face Zimbabwe in the first T20I at Harare Sports Club on Thursday, 24 July .
Dube is set to lead the bowling alongside an inexperienced pace group of Prince Yadav , Mayank Yadav , and debutant Ashok Sharma .
Several Indian players, including Dube, arrived late in Harare after the ODI series in England .
Dube praised Zimbabwe's improving standard, noting their growth since the 2024 series and the 2025 T20 World Cup .
Seam-bowling all-rounder Shivam Dube has acknowledged a visible dip in India's T20 International form but backed the reigning T20 World Cup champions to reverse course swiftly, starting with the first T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Thursday, 24 July.
Dube's Assessment of the Slump
'It's like there was a very high going for our team before the World Cup and even during the World Cup. Definitely the dip is there, but I think as soon as we stop the dip, we will go again on the higher side,' Dube told broadcasters in a pre-match interaction.
The admission is notable given India's recent run under new skipper Shreyas Iyer — back-to-back series defeats of 2-0 to Ireland and 4-0 to England since lifting the World Cup title. The Zimbabwe tour represents the first real opportunity to arrest that slide.
India's Bowling Setup in Harare
Dube is expected to shoulder significant bowling responsibility alongside an inexperienced pace attack comprising Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, and debutant Ashok Sharma. The relative youth of the pace group places added pressure on Dube's seam-bowling contributions to provide control and breakthroughs.
Late Arrivals, But Squad Ready
Dube acknowledged that logistics created minor disruptions, with several players — including himself — flying into Harare after the ODI series in England concluded. 'We came late. Some players came late. But yeah, we are ready for this,' he said, adding that he has fond memories of the venue from previous tours.
Respect for a Improving Zimbabwe Side
Despite not having studied Zimbabwe's recent matches closely, Dube was candid about the host nation's progress. 'I know this team is getting better day by day. I've played against them in 2024, then we played them in the World Cup this year. They are getting better. It looks really good that the country is getting better from their side,' he said.
This is the first T20I meeting between the two sides since their 2025 T20 World Cup encounter, and Zimbabwe will be eager to exploit India's current vulnerability. With a young pace attack on debut duty and India's batting order still finding its rhythm under Iyer's leadership, the Harare series will be a critical reset point for a side accustomed to being at the top of the format.
Point of View
Not captain Shreyas Iyer, fronting the pre-series media suggests a leadership communication gap worth watching. The pace attack for this series — Prince Yadav, Mayank Yadav, and a debutant — is arguably the least experienced India has fielded in a T20I series in years, which raises questions about whether the selectors are genuinely rebuilding or simply rotating. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are quietly improving and playing at home; underestimating them, as Dube's own words hint, would be a mistake India can ill afford right now.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has India's T20I form dipped recently?
India have lost successive T20I series — 2-0 to Ireland and 4-0 to England — since winning the T20 World Cup, suggesting a transitional phase under new captain Shreyas Iyer. Shivam Dube acknowledged the dip but expressed confidence in a quick turnaround.
Who is captaining India in the Zimbabwe T20I series?
Shreyas Iyer is leading India in the Zimbabwe T20I series. He has been at the helm during both the Ireland and England series defeats that preceded this tour.
Who is Ashok Sharma and why is his debut significant?
Ashok Sharma is a pace bowler set to make his T20I debut against Zimbabwe in Harare. His inclusion highlights India's relatively inexperienced pace group for this series, alongside Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav.
When and where is the first India vs Zimbabwe T20I?
The first T20I between India and Zimbabwe is scheduled for Thursday, 24 July , at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Zimbabwe.
What did Shivam Dube say about Zimbabwe's cricket standards?
Dube praised Zimbabwe's improvement, saying they are 'getting better day by day' and noting their progress since he played against them in 2024 and at the 2025 T20 World Cup . He described the ground as 'amazing' and said the team enjoys playing there.
