Xtra Time Web Desk: Shivam Dube marked his T20I comeback in style, playing a crucial knock of 53 off 37 balls to help India recover and post 181/8 in 20 overs against England in Pune. The left-hander's innings, which included seven fours and two sixes, provided the much-needed late surge after India's top-order collapse against Saqib Mahmood.

Mahmood wreaked havoc early on, delivering a triple-wicket maiden that sent Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Suryakumar Yadav back to the pavilion without making an impact. A brief resistance from Abhishek Sharma and Rinku Singh steadied the innings before Adil Rashid broke the stand, dismissing the well-set opener.

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Dube, playing his first T20I since July 2024, announced his intent early, launching Rashid for a six off his second ball. The Mumbai all-rounder, known for his effectiveness against spin, replicated his IPL form for CSK, taking on Rashid with confidence. With Rinku’s dismissal, Hardik Pandya joined Dube, and the duo staged a remarkable 87-run partnership, the second-highest sixth-wicket stand for India in T20Is.

Dube accelerated in the 14th over, hammering Rashid for a four and a six, while Hardik went berserk from the other end, racing to a 27-ball fifty. The pair capitalized on the struggling English attack, taking the total past 180.

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With Hardik’s dismissal, Dube took charge, reaching his half-century off 31 balls with consecutive boundaries off Brydon Carse in the 19th over. He remained at the crease till the last delivery before being run out, ensuring India finished with a competitive total.