Saurabh Dubey, the pacer from Kolkata Knight Riders, continued to make a name for himself in IPL 2026. His latest performance against Mumbai Indians at Eden Gardens was nothing short of spectacular, with his sharp spell of bowling once again featuring in the highlights.
Dubey, despite facing some of the biggest names in the game, remained unfazed. During the powerplay, he dismantled the Mumbai Indians batting lineup, taking out two key players—Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. This left the entire team under immense pressure right from the start.
His ability to perform under such high-stakes conditions showcased his growing confidence and maturity as a bowler. The early wickets not only helped Kolkata Knight Riders gain control of the innings but also shifted the momentum in their favor.
A Critical Moment: Suryakumar Yadav’s Dismissal
Suryakumar Yadav had been in fine form, scoring 15 runs off just six balls. He displayed confidence with some stylish shots, making it clear that he was ready to take charge of the innings. However, Dubey had other plans.
In the sixth over, Dubey returned with a change of pace and angle. He bowled from around the wicket, which disrupted Suryakumar’s rhythm. The left-arm pacer then delivered a full ball outside off stump, tempting the batter into a big drive.
Suryakumar went for the shot but failed to move his feet properly. The ball took a slight inside edge and crashed into the stumps. This dismissal was a turning point in the match, as it came right at the end of the powerplay and left Mumbai Indians reeling at 46/4.
Dubey’s Wickets in T20 Format
Here is a list of the three wickets Saurabh Dubey has taken in T20 format so far this season:
- Jos Buttler – Gujarat Titans (IPL 2026)
- Rohit Sharma – Mumbai Indians (IPL 2026)
- Suryakumar Yadav – Mumbai Indians (IPL 2026)
Rohit Sharma Falls Early
Before Suryakumar could settle down and regain control, Dubey had already dismissed Rohit Sharma. The seasoned opener attempted to guide a slower ball toward the leg side, but the timing was off. Cameron Green made a clean running catch, ending Rohit’s innings.
Rohit, who scored 15 runs off 13 balls, had hit two sixes before being removed. His dismissal added to the pressure on Mumbai Indians, especially after the early losses of Ryan Rickelton and Naman Dhir.
Dubey’s Tactical Approach
What stood out about Dubey’s performance was his calm mindset and tactical variations. He didn’t rely solely on pace; instead, he used changes in pace and angles to trouble the star hitters. This approach proved effective, as it kept the Mumbai Indians batters guessing throughout the powerplay.
Mumbai Indians’ Powerplay Struggles
Mumbai Indians struggled significantly during the powerplay after Kolkata Knight Riders opted to bowl first. By the time the six overs were completed, they were at 46/4, with Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya at the crease.
Ryan Rickelton managed to score 6 runs before being dismissed by Cameron Green, with Manish Pandey taking the catch. Rohit Sharma scored 15 before being caught by Green off Dubey’s bowling. Naman Dhir was run out for a duck by Green, and Suryakumar Yadav, after scoring 15 off six balls, was bowled by Dubey.
This early collapse highlighted the effectiveness of Dubey’s performance and the pressure he put on the Mumbai Indians batting line-up.
