Dubey makes impressive IPL debut for SRH

May 19, 2025

By Paritosh Pramanik

VIDARBHA spinner Harsh Dubey made a sort of impressive IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad, despite going for 44 runs from four overs, on Monday.

Playing his first game against Lucknow Super Giants, the left-arm spinner from Nagpur managed to take the wicket of in-form Mitchell Marsh in his fourth over.

Dubey was happy with his maiden performance and said it (dropping catches) is part and parcel of the game. “Sometimes you drop it and sometimes it becomes a stunning catch,” said Dubey to the host broadcaster during innings break.

“I was not thinking of taking wickets. I was more concerned of how I bowl my four overs.”

When asked what he would be preferred to call as he has scored 476 runs in Ranji Trophy and taking 69 wickets, Dubey said with a smile, “It depends what we are doing first after winning the toss. But I would prefer to be called as a batting all-rounder.”

SRH decided to bowl first and captain Pat Cummins handed the ball for second over to Dubey, who was included in the side as a replacement player for injured left-hander Smaran Ravichandran.

Dubey immediately made an impact and would have taken wicket on his maiden IPL delivery. He tossed the ball up well outside the off and Marsh, in an attempt to slap the ball got the bottom edge of his bat. But SRH wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan could not hold on to the low sharp chance which banged into his thigh. LSG were 11 for no loss then.

Bowling his second over, Dubey, who has been picked in India A squad for England Tour, once again had chance off his first delivery but Kishan muffed the stumping chance. LSG 28-0.

Aiden Markram tried to flick the ball towards leg side but missed the line as he stepped out of his crease and lost his footing. Kishan, however, failed to collect the ball clearly as the batter easily returned back to his crease.

The moment finally came in the 11th over when Dubey, the highest Ranji Trophy wicket-taker with a record 69 scalps, broke the opening wicket stand of 115 runs with the wicket of Marsh on third ball of his final over.

Dubey once again tossed the delivery up and Marsh tried to slice the ball towards thirdman but an agile Eshan Malinga timed his dived well to grab a diving catch.

Dubey celebrated his maiden IPL scalp with his arms stretched as he ran towards Malinga, followed by his other team-mates.

On his maiden wicket, Dubey said, “I bowled a bit slow and it stuck to the wicket as well. I was trying to bowl a bit away from the start and finally managed to execute it well.”

Dubey said he wanted to play on his strength (of turning the ball as much as he can). “But yes, I could have bowled a better line today... have conceded a few boundaries. I will try to improve and rectify my mistakes.”

Dubey was impressive and had he got those two wickets on first two balls of his two overs, LSG’s score would have been far less than 205.