Shivam Dube, recognized as a power-hitting batsman in the Indian cricket team, has notched up two consecutive half-centuries against Afghanistan, elevating his status as a favorite among fans and cricket pundits. His impressive batting performances position him as a strong contender for a spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup. While Dube credits MS Dhoni and the Chennai Super Kings for his success, it was Dhoni’s simple advice that truly transformed his career.
According to former Indian cricketer Abhinav Mukund, Dhoni advised Dube against aggressively tackling short-pitched deliveries. Mukund revealed, “A colleague informed me that Dube had a conversation with MS Dhoni, who advised him, ‘No rocket science, just don’t hit the short ball.'”
Dube Following the second T20 match, Dube shared insights into his preparations, expressing his satisfaction with performance enhancement as he progresses. Dube acknowledged the talent bestowed upon him by God and emphasized the significant effort he has invested in developing various aspects of his game. Reflecting on his unbeaten 63 off 32 balls in the second T20, where India comfortably chased down a target of 173 runs, Dube attributed his success to hard work and staying grounded.
While Dube has faced challenges against rapid short-pitched deliveries, particularly in the competitive IPL environment, he emphasized the substantial work he has put into refining his skills. He acknowledged the superior quality of fast bowlers in the IPL compared to domestic cricket. Dube shared, “I worked extensively on it. When playing domestic cricket, I could dominate all bowlers. However, entering the IPL, where bowlers exceeded speeds of 140 km/h, proved challenging. I focused on both technique and mindset.”
Dube credited the Chennai Super Kings and MS Dhoni for bringing out the best in him. Expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from Dhoni, Stephen Fleming, and Mike Hussey, Dube highlighted their belief in his abilities. Describing his mindset as a finisher, he revealed, “As a middle-order batsman, my role is to play big shots against spinners and enhance the strike rate. For scoring 20-25 runs, I concentrate and draw inspiration from observing what Mahi bhai has done for a long time. Staying calm and focusing on one ball at a time is crucial.”
