How is a player unable to perform when MS Dhoni thinks so highly of them? Shivam Dube is the most recent in a long line of young people who have achieved great success for India with the support of the legendary cricketer. The selectors had been keeping an eye on Mumbai’s lanky all-rounder Dube since 2019, but a few lacklustre performances at bat caused him to fall down the rankings. The pivotal moment occurred on the day he became a parent, when he was selected by the Chennai Super Kings for ₹4 crore in the IPL mega auction in 2022. That season, Dube scored at a strike rate of 156.22, demonstrating promise. But the following year was the really turning point.
Known for his powerful strikes, the left-hander hit up to 35 sixes in 16 IPL 2023 appearances for CSK. He scored 418 runs at a strike percentage of 158. In little time at all, Dube was back in the game. Even though he was able to rejoin the T20I team, the opportunities weren’t as frequent as one might have thought. To begin with, he was seldom ever included in India’s playing eleven. He only played five matches in 2023—two in Ireland and three at the Asian Games in Hangzhou—because a number of first-XI cricket players were either rested or unavailable.
Dube was selected for the post-World Cup home series against Australia, however he was unable to participate in any games. Unexpectedly, he was left off of the South Africa tour. But the chance presented itself once more as India looked desperately for a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya. More significantly, Dube was allowed to participate in the opening game of the three-match series between India and Afghanistan after being included in the team.
And he really made the most of the chance. The 30-year-old led India to an easy six-wicket victory in Mohali by smashing an unbeaten sixty off forty balls, which was a career-best in T20Is. With two sixes and five fours throughout his effort, he was declared the Player of the Match.
Not for the first time, Dube thanked Dhoni for mentoring him following the game. “I continue to speak with Mahi bhai, or MS Dhoni. He is a legend and such a major player. He continues to teach me. I watch him. He’s always telling me how to bat in various circumstances. He has provided me with a few useful tips. He has frequently said that I am an extremely talented player. I’ll play well for sure if he thinks I’m a decent player. In the Jio Cinema post-match programme, Dube stated, “My confidence was extremely high.”
Rohit has promised to give me two to three overs in each game. Dube
Dube’s batting was undeniable, but his bowling was never really reliable at the greatest level. However, on Thursday, the medium-pacer with a right arm made a significant stride towards establishing himself as a legitimate all-rounder. In addition to taking Rahmat Shah’s wicket, he bowled two tight overs in the middle of the pitch, conceding only nine runs.
“In terms of bowling, it took some time to develop. I was putting effort into it. I was also waiting for the chance to bowl, so when I did have the chance today, I took advantage of it,” he remarked.
Additionally, Dube stated that captain Rohit Sharma has promised to frequently bowl two to three overs. “Depending on the circumstances of the match, Rohit has informed me that I will get to bowl two to three overs each time. The fact that I would be able to bowl frequently is a huge plus for me,” he continued.
In response to a question regarding his aspiration to join the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, which will take place in the USA and the West Indies in June of this year, Dube stated he would rather go cautiously. “Every cricket player has the right to play for their nation in a World Cup. Although I want to take things slowly and it will always be in the back of my mind, there is still a long way to go.”
The post “If Dhoni thinks highly of me as a player, how come I can’t play well?” Shivam Dube said following his game-winning performance against AFG appeared first on Cricket Country.
