The India cricket team experienced a total transformation after their Super 8 match defeat against South Africa national cricket team. The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match against the Proteas ended with Suryakumar Yadav and his teammates suffering a 76-run defeat. The result pushed India into a must-win situation, where they had to win their remaining two games to reach the semi-final. The team responded strongly and achieved exactly that.

The Indian Express Dube stated in an interview which revealed that the team's maximum performance level occurred after they lost to South Africa. The middle-order batter who showed explosive power admitted that the team recovered from their loss within a short time. The player showed his complete transformation when he increased his focus and mental energy level which resulted in a complete change process for the team.India achieved its best performance at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final because of their renewed approach.

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Shivam Dube commented: “I feel that everyone is a match winner. There is no one in the side who cannot win you games. We had different performers in each game. Someone always stood up when needed. As a team, we peaked after the loss against South Africa. Before that game, we were playing well but we all pulled up our socks after that. We were a completely different team, and our best came in the final.” 

Dube became one of India's most reliable batters during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 although his bowling performance failed to produce significant results. The middle-order batter completed the tournament with 235 runs which he achieved from eight innings by hitting 15 fours and 17 sixes. He helped India succeed during multiple matches by performing vital batting duties from the lower middle order.

He added: “I always had the confidence and just backed myself. I had worked hard on it. There was clarity in what the team wanted from me. I didn’t promise anything to myself and the goal was to win the World Cup at home,‘