T20 WC 2026: The defeat against South Africa that changed the fate of Team India. Shivam Dubey revealed the biggest secret of winning the World Cup.

News India Live, Digital Desk: The Indian team has created history by winning the title of T20 World Cup 2026, but in this wonderful journey, there came a time when the credibility of the team was at stake. Team India’s all-rounder Shivam Dube has now revealed that the shameful defeat of 76 runs at the hands of South Africa in the Super-8 round had completely changed the way of thinking of the team. Defeat became the stepping stone to victory: ‘Pull up your socks’ moment. In that match played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, South Africa had bundled out India for 111 runs. According to Shivam Dubey: Time for introspection: After that defeat, the atmosphere in the dressing room was very serious. The players realized that being the defending champions, they had to step up their game. Change in strategy: “After that match, we decided it was time to ‘pull up your socks’,” Dubey said. We talked about our mistakes and resolved to remain unbeatable till the final. Clear roles: The team management and captain Suryakumar Yadav made each player clear about his role, allowing Dubey to play in the middle order. Got the freedom to play freely. That Super-8 defeat and Dubey’s struggle. In that match where the entire Indian batting had faltered, Shivam Dubey was the only batsman who saved the Net Run Rate (NRR) from falling further by playing a struggling inning of 37 runs (42 runs in some reports) in 42 balls. However, his bowling was criticized a lot as he gave away 32 runs in 2 overs. Shivam became the ‘silent hero’ of the final. The effect of the lessons he learned from South Africa was visible in the final. In the final match against New Zealand, when the team needed fast runs in the end, Dubey played an explosive inning of 26 runs (3 fours, 2 sixes) in just 8 balls, taking India’s score to 255. Performance of the entire tournament: Dubey scored 235 runs in this World Cup and also took 5 wickets. Praise of Gautam Gambhir: Head coach Gautam Gambhir also admitted that Dubey performed when the team Needed it the most.