Nagpur, May 29: Left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey has been selected for the Indian team for the upcoming Test and ODI series against Afghanistan. He described this opportunity as a dream come true. Dubey stated that receiving the first call-up from the Indian team is a significant step towards fulfilling his aspiration of playing for India.
After concluding his journey with Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026, Dubey spoke exclusively upon arriving in Nagpur. He emphasized that every cricketer in the country dreams of playing for the Indian team and performing well.
When asked about his feelings upon being selected for the national team, Dubey shared, “For the first five minutes, I couldn’t believe my name was chosen. I felt like I was still dreaming. It took me some time to fully grasp this reality.”
Playing domestic cricket for Vidarbha, Dubey made headlines in the 2024-25 Ranji season by taking the most wickets for his team.
Identifying himself as an all-rounder, Dubey mentioned that he would not make any significant changes to his preparations for the series against Afghanistan. He said, “I always say that I enjoy batting the most. I am definitely an all-rounder. There’s no doubt about it. I won’t change anything in my preparations. I will continue doing what I have been doing; nothing different. It’s crucial to have confidence in oneself.”
Regarding learning from international players in the IPL, Dubey remarked, “Playing alongside many international players teaches you a lot. I don’t think there’s a difference between senior and junior players in the IPL. What matters most is performing your best on that particular day. Ultimately, that is what counts, regardless of whether you are a senior or junior player.”
Dubey credited his journey to the Indian team to his parents, Surendra and Jyoti, as well as his coaches. He stated, “All my coaches have helped me reach where I am today. If I name one coach, it would be unfair to the others. However, I give the most importance to my parents. Their sacrifices have brought me to this point in my life. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it this far. They sacrificed their personal lives and always focused on my career. That is a significant thing for anyone. I am grateful for that.”
For the youth aspiring to play for the Indian team, Harsh Dubey advised, “I want to say that you must work hard. Whether you are playing cricket or doing something else, never be dishonest and give your 100 percent in everything. I also want to emphasize that the IPL is not everything. I hope they also focus on the red-ball format and not just become IPL players.”
At just 23 years old, Dubey took 13 wickets in 11 matches for SRH in IPL 2026. In domestic cricket, he has claimed 133 wickets in 27 first-class matches, along with scoring 1,026 runs in 44 innings, including nine half-centuries. In 30 List A matches, he has taken 31 wickets and scored 296 runs, including two half-centuries.
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