“Hard to put into words”: Shivam Dube on India’s Historic Gold
Shivam Dube reflects on India's historic gold medal victory against Pakistan in the 2026 Asian Games cricket final.
In a moment that will be etched in the annals of Indian cricket, the men's team has secured a historic gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan. Following the success of the women's team, the men's squad completed a golden double, sparking celebrations across the nation.
An Emotional Triumph for the Nation
Star all-rounder Shivam Dube, who played a pivotal role in the victory, expressed that the magnitude of the achievement is difficult to articulate. Speaking after the high-stakes final in Nisshin, Dube shared his profound emotions regarding the win.
"This feeling is hard to put into words because we’ve won gold for the country. I feel this is a huge achievement for us; winning gold and making the nation proud, it’s something that transcends words. It comes from deep within the heart," Dube told ANI.
Dube also highlighted the importance of institutional backing, noting that the BCCI provides the necessary confidence and encouragement that allows players to push their limits when representing the country.
The Battle of Wills: India vs Pakistan
The final was a high-octane encounter that saw India set a formidable target of 212 runs. The innings was built on a foundation of aggressive batting:
- Abhishek Sharma: Set a blistering tone with a 28-ball 61.
- Tilak Varma: Provided the finishing punch with an unbeaten 51 off just 22 deliveries.
- Shivam Dube: Contributed a rapid-fire 27 from 14 balls to push the total past the 200-mark.
India finished their 20 overs at 211/6, putting immense pressure on the Pakistani chase.
Bowling Resilience Holds Firm
Pakistan's pursuit of the target was headlined by a spectacular individual performance from Hasan Nawaz, who smashed 96 runs off only 51 balls. Despite his lone warrior effort, the Indian bowling unit remained disciplined under pressure.
The Indian attack successfully restricted Pakistan to 19 runs short of the target. The breakthrough came through a collective effort in the bowling department:
- Shivam Dube: Claimed two crucial wickets.
- Axar Patel: Picked up two wickets to stifle the momentum.
- Washington Sundar: Also contributed with two wickets to seal the win.
The 19-run victory ensures that India stands atop the podium, celebrating a golden moment in the rivalry between the two cricketing giants.