“He’s exceptionally skilful to bring the game to us,” said Kumar Sangakkara after Shubham Dubey led the Rajasthan Royals to a thrilling victory against the Punjab Kings on April 29, 2026.
Dubey scored 31 runs off 12 balls, achieving an impressive strike rate of 258. He played a pivotal role as an impact substitute, shifting the momentum of the match.
His partnership with Donovan Ferreira was crucial. They formed a 77-run alliance off just 32 balls. This collaboration helped propel Rajasthan Royals to chase down a target of 223 runs.
The Royals successfully completed their chase with four balls remaining. This victory marked Punjab Kings’ first defeat of IPL 2026.
Dubey hails from Yavatmal, Maharashtra, and has made a name for himself in T20 cricket. He has accumulated over 800 T20 runs throughout his career.
The young player was initially bought for INR 5.8 crore in 2024 and re-signed for INR 80 lakh in 2025. His performance today underscores his value to the team.
Sangakkara praised Dubey’s skills and impact on the game. “He brings energy and skill that can change matches,” he added.
The Rajasthan Royals will look to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign in IPL 2026. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings will seek to regroup after this unexpected setback.
