India all-rounder Shivam Dube has shed light on the clarity of roles within the team’s dressing room during their successful T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, highlighting the leadership approach of head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav.
Dube was among the key contributors in India’s title-winning run, building on his role in the team’s triumph in 2024. During the 2026 edition, he scored 235 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 169.06, producing impactful cameos throughout the tournament. Reflecting on his responsibilities, he credited Gambhir and Suryakumar for simplifying his approach with a direct message about his role.
“My role was simple and communicated a long time ago by coach Gautam Gambhir and Surya bhai; keeping the strike rate high. If I’m asked to bowl, keep a tight line and keep the runs down,” Dube said, speaking to the Indian Express.
“During the last World Cup too, I had a similar role but that time I had only a couple of big knocks. This time, I told myself that I won’t think too far ahead and take things match by match,” he added.
One of Dube’s standout performances came in India’s final group-stage match, where his 66 from 31 deliveries helped the side recover after an uncertain start. His brief but decisive contributions during the Super 8 stage, semi-final and final also proved crucial in India’s progression.
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He finished as India’s leading run-scorer in the Super 8 defeat to South Africa before delivering two important boundaries in the penultimate over of the must-win clash against West Indies. Gambhir later described that effort as equally significant as Sanju Samson’s match-winning 97.
The left-hander then moved up to No. 4 in the semi-final against England, scoring 43 from 25 balls. In the final against New Zealand, Dube once again played a decisive cameo, striking 26 from just eight deliveries to help India post a total of 255.
Dube also spoke highly of the team environment shaped by the captain and head coach.
“They plan well and back us. They don’t panic in any situation. There is clarity in their communication and they tried to pick the best playing XI for each game. The dressing room environment is great,” he said.
Dube now joins an exclusive group of eight Indian cricketers who have been part of both the 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cup title-winning squads.
