03 June,2026 04:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Harsh Dubey (Pic: AFP)
Team India is set to take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series, beginning on June 6 with the Test match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
Ahead of the series, Sunrisers Hyderabad's (SRH) spinner Harsh Dubey has earned a call-up in the national team for both formats.
Speaking on JioStar, the spinner recalled the moment he learned about his inclusion in the national squads.
"We had reached the airport and found out our flight was delayed by an hour. I got a call from someone managing a cricket social media page, asking how I felt about my name being in the ODI series," he said.
"Because of the noise and network issues in the lounge, I thought he was referring to the Sri Lanka A ODI tri-series, so I said it felt like one step closer to the dream and that my focus was still on the IPL. As soon as I hung up, I started getting messages saying I had received both the Test and ODI call-ups. I was confused because the squad had just been announced, so I quickly checked online and saw the news. It honestly took me a few minutes to process what had happened...It genuinely felt like I was dreaming," added Dubey.
Further speaking, the spinner said that he doesn't want to think about featuring in the Indian squad for the ODI World Cup 2027.
"Instead of thinking too far ahead, I prefer to focus on what is in my hands, one game at a time...I don't want to think too far ahead about playing the 2027 World Cup or winning the WTC for India. I just want to stay in the present and do the best I can with what is in my hands," said the 23-year-old cricketer.
On the prospect of sharing the dressing room along with Team India stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the spinner said that it is a huge achievement for him.
"I have grown up watching them. Ever since I started understanding cricket, they have been performing for India and dominating world cricket. So, getting a chance to play with them is a huge achievement for me. I always wanted to play alongside at least one legend before they retire or whenever their final phase comes. Even if I get to play one match with them, it will be a dream-come-true moment for me," said the Pune-born cricketer.
Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel (WK).
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.
(With PTI Inputs)
