Birthday boy Shivam Dube joins elite club, becomes only the fourth Indian to...

NEW DELHI: Shivam Dube turned 33 in style on Friday, marking his birthday with a rare and memorable achievement during India’s first T20I against Ireland in Belfast — becoming only the fourth Indian bowler to take a T20I wicket on his birthday.Operating as the fourth pace option, Dube was introduced into the attack in the eighth over and made an instant impact. On his very first delivery, he struck to dismiss Benjamin Calitz, who had made a lively 15 off 11 balls with two sixes, as Ireland looked to build momentum.Dube’s short-pitched delivery rushed the batter into a mistimed pull, sending the top edge looping towards fine leg, where Prasidh Krishna completed a comfortable catch after running back and keeping his eyes glued on the ball.It was a birthday gift Dube will remember — his 32nd T20I wicket in his 65th international appearance in the format.Elite birthday club featuring Indian starsWith the wicket, Dube joined a highly exclusive list of Indian cricketers to have taken a T20I wicket on their birthday. The club includes Yuvraj Singh, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav — names that underline the rarity of the feat.Yuvraj Singh was the first to achieve it, returning 3 for 23 against Sri Lanka in Mohali on his 28th birthday in 2009. Ravindra Jadeja joined the list a decade later with 1 for 30 against West Indies in Hyderabad on his 31st birthday in 2019.Kuldeep Yadav has managed the feat twice — first with a stunning 5 for 17 against South Africa in Johannesburg on his 29th birthday, and again with 2 for 12 against the same opposition in Dharamsala on his 32nd birthday.Dube’s inclusion adds a fresh name to a quirky but prestigious statistical club, blending celebration with on-field impact.Indian cricketers to pick a T20I wicket on their birthdayYuvraj Singh (2009)Ravindra Jadeja (2019)Kuldeep Yadav (2023 & 2025)Shivam Dube (2026)A handy spell in a high-scoring contestDube finished with figures of 1 for 18 in three overs as Ireland posted a competitive 182 for 9 in their 20 overs. The all-rounder, now in his 65th T20I, has quietly built a useful international record. Before this match, he had 31 wickets and 991 runs at an average of 30.96, including six half-centuries, reflecting his growing value as a genuine dual-role option.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.