India, Jan. 29 -- In the fourth T20I between India and New Zealand, Shivam Dube didn't just rescue an innings, he made a statement about what he can be when the script demands it.

And that, more than the runs alone, is what Sunil Gavaskar latched onto on the Star Sports broadcast: a batter usually slotted to arrive late suddenly walking in earlier than planned and still choosing impact over caution.

Gavaskar's reading began with role and timing. Dube, he pointed out, is typically the kind of number six or seven who gets a short window with freedom of a settled line-up. This time, early wickets meant the entry point shifted, and with it, the pressure.

"I thought he grabbed the opportunity really well. As you said, when you bat at six or...