Nagpur: For Harsh Dubey, the dream of representing India was born in childhood, but when the moment finally arrived, it left him speechless rather than emotional. The young all-rounder from Nagpur was still struggling to absorb the reality of his maiden national call-up while travelling with his Indian Premier League franchise, Sunrisers Hyderabad, for their final league fixture.
Dubey has been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming one-off Test and three-match ODI series against Afghanistan beginning June 6, marking a major milestone in the cricketer’s rapidly rising career. Despite his impressive performances in domestic cricket and consistent appearances for India ‘A’, the left-handed all-rounder admitted that he never expected to find a place in both the Test and ODI squads at the same time.
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The announcement came while Dubey was on a flight with his SRH teammates, and the news initially left him numb. Congratulatory messages poured in from friends and teammates, but he could barely react. “It still feels unreal. I never imagined this day would come so soon. I am still trying to believe it,” Dubey said while speaking to local media.
Dubey earned national attention after a remarkable Ranji Trophy season in which he created history by claiming 69 wickets, breaking the previous record of 68 wickets in a single season. His performances established him as one of the most promising young spinners in domestic cricket and strengthened his case for higher honours.
The Nagpur cricketer also grabbed attention in the IPL after being picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad as a replacement for R Smaran. He quickly justified the franchise’s faith by delivering impactful performances in the limited opportunities he received. In three matches, the left-arm orthodox spinner managed to dismiss star players like Virat Kohli and Andre Russell, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stage.
Dubey credited his success to the sacrifices and support of his family, especially his parents Surendra and Jyoti Dubey. “This achievement belongs to my parents. Whatever I have reached today is because of their sacrifices and constant support,” he said emotionally.
He also acknowledged the contribution of his childhood coach Dilip Das and the support extended by the Vidarbha Cricket Association. Dubey said the guidance he received during his formative years played a vital role in shaping his cricketing journey.
The young cricketer began his career at Ruby Club in Nagpur, where he learnt the fundamentals of the game. He expressed gratitude towards the club and its members for building a strong foundation for his cricketing future. He also thanked Nagpur Cricket Academy and coach Madhav Bakre for supporting him and allowing him access to training facilities during crucial stages of his development.
Even after receiving the biggest news of his career, Dubey admitted that the feeling had still not completely sunk in. With the Hyderabad-bound flight taking off from Chennai, the Vidarbha all-rounder remained overwhelmed by the moment, still trying to process the fact that his long-cherished dream of wearing the India jersey had finally become a reality.
