Shivam Dube starred with both bat and ball in India's win over the Netherlands.
Shivam Dube shone with both bat and ball as India defeated the Netherlands by 17 runs in their last T20 World Cup 2026 Group A clash at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 18).
India's top order found it tough against Dutch off-spinner Aryan Dutt before Shivam Dube struck a 31-ball 66 to propel the team to 193/6 in 20 overs.
In reply, the defending champions restricted the Netherlands to 176/7, with Dube (2-35 in 3 overs) picking up two wickets to earn the 'Player of the Match' award.
Speaking after the game, Dube said he had to curb his natural attacking instincts to suit the surface.
"Yeah, it was a little tough on the wicket, but yeah, this is the situation I love to bat and I was enjoying, although I was in pressure at some time, but yeah, the off-spinner bowled really well to me and four dot balls, a good over from my side, but I knew that I'm gonna cover later,” Dube said in the post-match interview.
“It was skidding as well as it was keeping low. One of the balls spun as well. So for me, it was like, yes, I can hit him, but at that time the situation demands something else. So I have to play at that time,” he added.
The southpaw explained his process of targeting the straight boundaries. “I tried to hit boundaries. I try to hit six. I enjoy hitting sixes, but the situation demands the bowler is good. I have to prepare myself to hit boundaries as well,” Dube stated.
“I have worked in that way also (on not committing to hit big shots), because I know all the bowlers, they're going to block me as well. They'll not bowl me yorkers or length balls. They're going to come short. They're going to bowl me slower balls. So I prepared myself, so I was waiting for that,” he further remarked.
While Shivam Dube is encouraged to maintain a high strike rate, match awareness remains key.
“Yeah, definitely, as the captain and coach has told me that I have to keep the strike rate at high when I come in middle overs, but it depends on the situation. When I came today, it was not that situation I can take the strike-rate at high, but at some time there was, there was something I thought that this is the time I can go now,” he said.
Dube also pointed to improvement in his bowling. “I'm working really hard towards my bowling and yeah, the results are coming, but yes, it's a T20 game. You're going to hit, you'll get hit sometime, but you'll take wickets as well," he concluded.