Harsh Dubey Excited for International Debut with Team India Against Afghanistan

Harsh Dubey, the uncapped Indian spin all-rounder, is set to make his international debut against Afghanistan. He shares his surreal experience of receiving the call-up for both the Test and ODI squads, expressing excitement and a desire to focus on the present. With impressive domestic statistics, Dubey aims to contribute significantly to the team while taking things one game at a time. His journey reflects the dreams of many aspiring cricketers, and his story is one of determination and hope.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 3, 2026, 11:22 IST

Harsh Dubey's Dream Call-Up

As the one-off Test against Afghanistan approaches, Indian spin all-rounder Harsh Dubey, who has yet to make his international debut, expressed that receiving the call-up for both the Test and ODI squads felt surreal. Dubey, who played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in this year's IPL, where he claimed eight wickets in eight matches, is set to make his international debut starting Thursday with the Test match. The talented spinner from Vidarbha boasts an impressive record of 133 wickets in 27 first-class matches, averaging 23.26, with his best performance being 6/36. He has also achieved nine five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket matches, alongside scoring 1,027 runs in 44 innings at an average of 25.65, including nine half-centuries.

A Surreal Moment at the Airport

In an interview with JioStar, Harsh recounted the moment he learned about his selection while at the airport. He received a call from a cricket social media manager who informed him about his inclusion in the ODI squad. "We had just arrived at the airport when we learned our flight was delayed by an hour. I received a call asking how I felt about being named in the ODI series. Due to the noise and poor network in the lounge, I mistakenly thought he was referring to the Sri Lanka A ODI tri-series, so I mentioned it felt like a step closer to my dream while still focusing on the IPL," he shared.

Processing the Exciting News

After hanging up, Harsh began receiving messages confirming his selection for both the ODI and Test teams, leaving him feeling bewildered. "Once I hung up, I started getting messages about my call-up for both formats. I was confused because the squad had just been announced, so I quickly checked online and confirmed the news. It took me a few minutes to fully grasp what had happened. Even when Murali sir asked about the other spinners, I could only recall my name. It truly felt like a dream," he explained.

Focusing on the Present

Harsh emphasized the importance of staying grounded and taking things one game at a time. "If I'm playing an IPL match today, my focus is on improving my performance in that game. If I play for India tomorrow, I will concentrate on contributing to my team rather than worrying about the next ten years. I prefer not to think too far ahead about events like the 2027 World Cup or winning the WTC for India. My goal is to remain present and give my best with what I can control," he concluded.