Dube was susceptible to short-pitched balls early in his career.
After the game, the all-rounder revealed how the legendary MS Dhoni's advice at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) helped him overcome weakness against short-pitched deliveries and transformed his IPL career, which eventually paved the way for his T20I comeback.
Early in his career, Dube was susceptible to short-pitched balls and opposition bowlers used to exploit this weakness. It was then Dhoni came to his rescue by suggesting that he does not need to hoick every short-pitched delivery for a six, and can instead just be content with a boundary or even a single.
“There was a time when I came to IPL, I was struggling a bit against short balls, at that time I wasn’t able to hit them so cleanly, but then I realised that if I have to dominate at this level and I have that power, then why should I lag because of one thing, so I worked a lot on that thing during the off season," Dube said while speaking on Star Sports after the Netherlands game.
“Mahi bhai had told me that it isn’t necessary that you have to hit a six on that ball, you can hit a boundary or take a single, so that thing was always in my mind that when I come in at the start," the southpaw added.
Shivam Dube also made notable contribution with the ball against the Dutch team. He bagged a couple of wickets and deservedly earned the 'Player of the Match' award.
Group A wrapped up with India finishing top of the table, winning all four of their matches. The defending champions will face South Africa in their opening Super 8 fixture on February 22 in Ahmedabad, followed by matches against Zimbabwe on February 26 in Chennai and the West Indies on March 1 in Kolkata.