Since being signed by the Chennai Super Kings, led by MS Dhoni in the Indian Premier League, Shivam Dube’s career has taken a turn for the better.
Considered the team’s legitimate six-hitter, Shivam Dube reinforced his qualifications for the 2024 T20 World Cup by captivating fans and pundits with his two half-centuries in the opening T20I match against Afghanistan. Known for his explosive hitting when the spinners are in action, Dube lit up the first two T20 Internationals against Afghanistan with dazzling fifties, his power hitting making a respectable spin attack appear tame. What was the specific mantra that Dube was given? He also gave appreciation to MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings for his quick thinking.
In a Jio Cinema conversation, former Indian cricketer Abhinav Mukund stated that Dhoni counseled Dube not to attack the short ball, a suggestion that has been extremely beneficial to the left-handed hitter.
“A little birdie told me that Dube had a chat with MS Dhoni and he told him – not rocket science – don’t attack the short ball,” Mukund stated.
After the second Twenty20 International, Dube spoke with the broadcaster about his preparation and strategy for the match, which appears to be centered solely on the here and now.
“I enjoy continuing to raise my performance as I go along. God gave me the range, and I’ve put a lot of work into it. I’m improving in a lot of areas and putting runs on the board,” Dube remarked.
As India chased down a target of 173 with as many as 26 balls remaining, Dube hammered four towering sixes and five fours his route to his undefeated 63 off 32 balls in the second Twenty20 International here on Sunday.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was back in action, made headlines too with a 34-ball score of 68.
Dube spoke on how difficult it is to focus exclusively on the here and now rather than the upcoming T20 World Cup, saying, “In the past I have worried a lot about the future. However, I’ve come to realize that I must pay attention to the now. That’s more essential to me because I have to concentrate on honing my talents. I simply attempt to maintain my composure and concentrate on my tasks.” The 30-year-old Dube has frequently been susceptible against the short deliveries delivered at a good pace, which is a sharp contrast to his tendency to play with the spinners. He acknowledged that compared to domestic cricket, fast bowlers in the IPL are of a far higher caliber.
Dube stated, “I have worked a lot on it,” when asked how much work he has put into strengthening his defense against short balls. When I played domestic cricket, I could outshine every bowler, but in the Indian Premier League and other Indian cricket leagues, bowlers were hitting over 140 km/h. “I worked a lot with side arms, but it is more about the mindset which I worked.” More than four years ago, Dube’s Indian white-ball team started badly against Bangladesh.
“This credit goes to Chennai Super Kings and Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) because I always had this game in me,” he responded when asked about the strategies he’s used that have produced a noticeable improvement. “They have made me feel like my best self. They’ve always told me they think well of me and offered encouragement. Mike Hussey and Stephen Fleming have both expressed faith in me.” “My role as a middle-order batsman is to take on spinners and improve the strike rate,” the Mumbai all-rounder stated, describing his approach as a finisher. But I pay attention to that when I’m hitting twenty or twenty-five runs.
“I am moving in the direction of what I have long observed Mahi bhai doing. I just need to focus on one ball at a time and maintain my composure.
