Shivam Dube says India's Asian Games gold was about bringing glory for the country
Dube said India's Asian Games gold medal win over Pakistan was about bringing glory for the country, not the rivalry.
Shivam Dube said India's 19-run victory over Pakistan in the Asian Games men's cricket final was about winning gold for the country rather than the opposition. Dube told NDTV that the achievement was emotional and that his contribution with bat and ball was secondary to the team's success. He said Abhishek Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah played key roles in the 211 for six total and the subsequent defence.
India posted 211 for six after Abhishek Sharma scored 61 off 28 balls and Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on 51 off 22. Dube contributed 27 off 15. Pakistan reached 192 for six, with Hasan Nawaz scoring 96 off 51 balls. Dube took the final wicket when he dismissed Nawaz with the last ball of the match.
The victory completed a golden double for Indian cricket after the women's team also won gold. ICC chairman Jay Shah praised the tournament organisers and said Nagoya and Japan had written a proud new chapter in cricket's history. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla called the win a matter of great pride.
CricHubb Take
Dube's framing of the win as national achievement rather than rivalry shows how India's T20 setup now treats continental events as preparation for larger global tournaments.