- Harsh Dubey’s Record Ranji campaign yielded 69 wickets and 469 runs
- Ashwin and Jadeja played key roles in his development
- Vidarbha star now stands on the verge of a Test debut for India
Harsh Dubey’s journey to the Indian team has been anything but conventional.The Vidarbha left arm spinning allrounder stands on the verge of a maiden Test appearance against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh after a remarkable rise that has taken him from domestic cricket obscurity to the national spotlight.
The airport call that changed everything
The call that changed everything arrived in the most unexpected setting.
On May 19, as Sunrisers Hyderabad players waited at Chennai airport for a delayed flight, Dubey received a call from an unknown number. What followed left him initially puzzled.
The caller congratulated him on his India selection. Assuming it was a reference to an India A squad announcement, Dubey responded accordingly. It was only later, after his phone was flooded with messages and calls, that he realised he had been named in India’s senior squad.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Dubey recalled the surreal moment.
“I don’t believe anything until I see it on the official BCCI website. But when my phone started exploding with calls and messages, I searched for the live press conference online. The moment I heard my name, I went completely blank. For the first couple of minutes, I couldn’t process what was happening.”
Even those around him were unaware of the significance of the moment.
“Ishan bhai was sitting right next to me and he had no idea. We were travelling together. Thankfully the flight was delayed by an hour, otherwise I would have found out only after landing.”
Back home, the emotions were equally powerful. Dubey’s father initially assumed the call up was for India A before discovering the scale of the achievement.
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A comeback built on perseverance
The selection caps an extraordinary turnaround for a player who was dropped from Vidarbha’s Ranji Trophy squad just a few years ago.
Rather than allowing the setback to define him, Dubey rebuilt his career through hard work and consistent performances. The rewards came during Vidarbha’s victorious 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign when he produced one of the finest allround seasons in recent domestic cricket history.
Harsh Dubey’s Record Ranji season turned heads
Dubey finished with a record 69 wickets while also scoring 469 runs, establishing himself as one of the country’s most complete spin bowling allrounders.
His ability to generate overspin and extract bounce on a variety of surfaces quickly attracted the attention of India’s selectors, who viewed him as a player capable of making an impact across formats.
How Ashwin helped shape his game
His development was accelerated by an unlikely connection with former India off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.
After impressing in age group cricket, Dubey caught Ashwin’s attention through recommendations from fellow cricketers. The India great invited him to Chennai league cricket, where valuable technical and tactical lessons followed.
Working closely with Ashwin helped Dubey improve his use of the crease and develop greater control over his variations, skills that have become defining features of his bowling.
Success continued to follow. In 2025, he captained Vidarbha to their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy title, further strengthening his credentials for higher honours.
Learning from Ravindra Jadeja
Comparisons with Ravindra Jadeja have naturally emerged along the way.
Dubey makes no secret of the influence the India allrounder has had on his career.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he said:
“When I was growing up, the player I watched the most was Ravindra Jadeja. I’ve followed his bowling closely since 2013-14. In many ways, I grew up watching him.”
The admiration extends beyond watching from afar. Dubey has also spent time speaking directly with Jadeja during India A assignments and IPL campaigns.
“I spent almost half an hour speaking with him. He spoke about mindset and areas where I could improve.”
Despite the growing comparisons, Dubey remains realistic about the challenge of following in the footsteps of one of India’s greatest allrounders.
“Replacing a player like him is never going to be easy. If people are making those comparisons, it means I’ve done something right. But my focus is simple. Wherever I get an opportunity, I want to help my team win and contribute in the best possible way.”
Focused on repaying India’s faith
India’s selectors clearly see enormous potential in the 22 year old. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar recently described him as an all format next generation spin bowling allrounder, highlighting the faith being placed in his future.
Dubey, however, remains focused on performance rather than praise.
“It’s great to know that they have faith in me. But my focus is on repaying that trust through performances.”
The opportunity to work under head coach Gautam Gambhir is another aspect of international cricket that excites him.
“Just being in the same dressing room as Gautam Gambhir is special. Everyone remembers his innings in the 2011 World Cup final. Getting the chance to work with him is something I’m really looking forward to.”
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A dream debut awaits
The upcoming ODI series could also see Dubey share a dressing room with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, players he spent his childhood admiring.
There is already a memorable link between Dubey and Kohli. The former India captain was only the second wicket of the spinner’s IPL career.
Reflecting on the prospect of becoming Kohli’s team mate, Dubey admitted the feeling still seems unreal.
“I grew up watching him bat. I’ve taken inspiration from him since childhood. To be in the same team as someone like him feels like a dream come true.”
From being overlooked in domestic cricket to becoming one of India’s most promising spin bowling allrounders, Dubey’s story is built on perseverance, patience and belief.
With India’s squad already assembled in Chandigarh and the Afghanistan Test fast approaching, Harsh Dubey’s long journey is about to enter its most significant chapter yet.
Now comes the opportunity he has spent years working towards: proving he belongs on cricket’s biggest stage.
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