Harsh Dubey has ticked off a major milestone on the road many Indian youngsters dream about, earning a call-up to the national squad for the upcoming fixtures against Afghanistan later this month. The Vidarbha spinner’s promotion reflects the steadiness of his domestic performances, particularly his impact in red-ball cricket. While donning the India jersey is already a defining moment, Dubey is also relishing the prospect of sharing the dressing room with players he grew up admiring.
Dream call-up and the chance to learn from India greats
Dubey is set to walk into the same environment as two former India captains and batting icons, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. For the Vidarbha all-rounder, the significance of the opportunity goes beyond the headline selection.
Speaking about his excitement, Dubey said that if you ask any young cricketer who they want to play with, the first two names will be Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He added that he has watched them for years and that the chance to be around them is a “huge achievement.” He also highlighted how, since he started understanding the game, the duo has consistently delivered for India and dominated world cricket, making the opportunity even more special.
Why Dubey believes he’s earned ODI and Test consideration
Dube y’s call-up follows a standout 2024/25 Ranji Trophy season. He helped Vidarbha clinch the title, taking 69 wickets in the tournament, while also making meaningful contributions with the bat. That blend of work has kept him in the conversation for India’s spin-bowling resources, with his involvement extending across formats, including the ODI setup as well as the red-ball squad.
Even as he remains realistic about his chances in the ODI team, Dubey acknowledged the emotional weight of the bigger moment—playing alongside legends during their final phases.
- His Ranji Trophy impact in 2024/25 included 69 wickets for Vidarbha as the team won the title.
- He has also contributed with the bat, adding value beyond pure bowling output.
- He is in contention to be part of India’s spin-bowling group, with pathways in both red-ball and ODI squads.
From India A to a full national call: the moment sinks in
For Dubey, the realization took time to fully register. He had already been part of the India A group, so when news began to circulate during the recently completed IPL season, he initially assumed it was another engagement at the next level. The turning point came when he received confirmation after putting down the phone and quickly started noticing messages that mentioned both Test and ODI call-ups.
Dubey explained that he became confused because the squad had just been announced, and he needed to check immediately online to understand what had happened. He said it took him a few minutes to truly process the development, before the scale of the opportunity became clear.
What’s next: Afghanistan fixtures and the batting icons in the dressing room
Looking ahead, Dubey will be hoping to get a place in either the one-off Test against Afghanistan or the subsequent three-match ODI series. In both cases, he expects to have the chance to share the environment with Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, depending on team selection and match requirements. For Dubey, even the possibility of playing a single match alongside them is something he described as a dream-come-true moment.
- Dubey is targeting playing opportunities in the one-off Test versus Afghanistan.
- He will also be in contention for the three-match ODI series that follows.
- In either format, he expects to share the setup with either Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli.
