Punjab Kings leg-spinner Praveen Dubey says he is yet to receive enough opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to demonstrate his true potential — but rather than letting that frustration define him, the spinner is channelling it into relentless preparation across domestic circuits. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Dubey made clear he is ready whenever his next call comes.

A Journey Through Three Franchises

Dubey entered the IPL ecosystem with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2016, later moved to Delhi Capitals (DC), and is now with Punjab Kings (PBKS). Each stint has added a layer to his development, even when playing time remained limited. 'Until now, I haven't had enough opportunities to play and show my talent or performance. So, I have started my process in the domestic and local leagues. And I am ready for any chance I get,' Dubey said.

Learning From Virat Kohli and the RCB Years

Dubey's first IPL season at RCB was, by his own admission, primarily a learning experience. The young leg-spinner used his proximity to senior players — most notably Virat Kohli — to sharpen the mental side of his game. 'At that time, I had Virat with me. I used to talk to him about how I could improve my mindset. And in between, I used to think that whenever I get a chance to play, I should do well,' he recalled.

After two seasons in and around the RCB setup without a consistent run, Dubey moved to DC, where he broke through relatively quickly. 'I got a chance to play there only after two matches... I was trying to do what I did in my domestic career. And after playing, it turned out very well. And then I played in the 2020 finals. So, that experience was very good,' he noted.

Bowling Alongside Yuzvendra Chahal at Punjab Kings

At PBKS, Dubey has the advantage of training alongside Yuzvendra Chahal — the IPL's highest wicket-taker — with whom he shares a bond dating back to their RCB days. 'We used to talk a lot. And obviously, it feels good to bowl with him. And you get to learn a lot, too,' Dubey said of Chahal.

Their conversations go beyond general advice. 'In practice, whenever we bowl together, we talk a lot. And he keeps telling me how to bowl to which batsman, what to do in which situation. So, it's very helpful to bowl with him,' Dubey added. He also suggested the two could potentially operate together if conditions favour spin.

The Wicket-Taking Philosophy

Dubey's bowling approach has evolved into an attack-first mindset. Rather than prioritising economy, he targets wickets directly — a strategy he refined during a recent stint in the Maharaja Trophy. 'I am only looking to take wickets. If I am going to save a lot, then that is a negative thing,' he explained.

The logic is straightforward: pressure a batter into defence, and the wicket often follows. 'If I bowl my best ball to the most attacking batsmen and don't give them boundaries easily, they will try something extra, which will increase my chances of getting a wicket,' Dubey said. He also acknowledged that T20 cricket demands mental resilience when good deliveries still go for boundaries — 'I will focus on my strengths... If there are boundaries or anything, then I don't have a problem.'

Adding Batting to His Arsenal

Dubey has also invested time in his batting during the Maharaja Trophy, positioning himself as a genuine all-round option. 'I have also worked a lot on batting... as an all-rounder, I can play in the team. I will also contribute in bowling and 100% in batting,' he said. That versatility could make him harder to overlook when selection decisions are made.

Through the waiting, Dubey has leaned on senior players and coaches for perspective, and their message has been consistent: patience is part of the process. 'Whenever I get a chance, I will do my best for the team and win,' he concluded — a quiet determination that has defined every stage of his IPL journey so far.