Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey said his maiden call-up to the Indian cricket team — for the upcoming one-off Test and three ODIs against Afghanistan — felt surreal, describing the selection as 'another opportunity' to move closer to a lifelong ambition. Dubey was speaking in Nagpur on 28 May, a day after his Indian Premier League (IPL) side Sunrisers Hyderabad exited the tournament with a 47-run loss to Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator at New Chandigarh.

The Moment It Sank In

'I only see it as an opportunity — like another opportunity has been created for me to go one step further in fulfilling my dream. It's a dream of every Indian cricketer to represent his country and do well for his country,' Dubey said. He added that the news took a few minutes to register: 'I didn't understand for the first five minutes that my name had been selected because I felt like I was still dreaming. So it took some time for it to sink in.'

The 23-year-old rose to national prominence after finishing as the leading wicket-taker for Vidarbha in their 2024-25 Ranji Trophy title-winning campaign — a performance that put him firmly on the selectors' radar.

Dubey on His All-Rounder Identity

Dubey was unequivocal about his batting ambitions, pushing back against any suggestion that he is primarily a bowler. 'I always say that I love my batting the most. So I will say I am an all-rounder, a hundred percent, and there is no question in that,' he said. He added that he plans no major changes to his preparation ahead of the Afghanistan series: 'I will do what I have been doing and not do anything different. It's important to have faith in yourself.'

IPL Lessons and the Red Ball Message

Dubey credited his IPL experience with sharpening his understanding of the professional game, particularly through exposure to overseas players. 'A lot of international players, Australian players, English players — you learn a lot of things by playing with them. Like how you can be as a person off the field and on the field,' he said. He also noted that the IPL environment helped him shed any awe of senior cricketers: 'I don't think there is a difference between a senior and junior player. It's important to do your best on the day — that's what matters the most.'

Notably, Dubey signed off with a pointed message for young cricketers, urging them not to let the IPL overshadow the fundamentals. 'IPL is not the only thing. I would like them to focus on the red ball format and not just become an IPL player,' he said — a rare and candid caution from a player who himself came through the IPL spotlight.

Family Behind the Journey

Dubey reserved his deepest gratitude for his parents, Surendra and Jyoti Dubey, who he said gave up their respective jobs — his father in the CISF and his mother at a private school — to support his cricket. 'Because of their sacrifice, I am here today in life. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to be here. They sacrificed their personal life for me and were always focusing on my career. It's a big thing for anyone, and I am able to pay it off today,' he said. He declined to single out any one coach, saying doing so would be 'unfair to the other coaches.'

With the Afghanistan series offering Dubey his first taste of international cricket, all eyes will be on whether the Vidarbha spinner can translate domestic dominance into performances on the biggest stage.