When the selectors announced India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Tuesday (April 30), there was a notable inclusion in it.
Shivam Dube, the powerful left-handed batter, was rewarded with a place in the 15-member squad for his stunning exploits in the ongoing IPL for Chennai Super Kings. The southpaw has aggregated 350 runs in 10 innings for CSK this season. He has scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 171.56,
Dube had also played a key role in CSK’s IPL 2023 triumph. Amassing 418 runs with a striking 176.47 against spinners, including 22 sixes, paved his return to the Indian team for the Ireland tour last year.
Dube managed to retain his place in the national side for the home T20I series against Afghanistan earlier this year. He racked up 124 runs across the three-match series and also made handy contributions with the ball to earn the Player-of-the-Series award.
After securing a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad, Shivam Dube shared insights into a conversation with Rohit Sharma, where the Indian skipper urged him to showcase his abilities during the series against Afghanistan in early January.
"When I got picked for the Afghanistan series, Rohit bhai told me I will (get a chance to) bowl and bat too. He said, 'just show us what you can do.' If the captain comes up and tells you we want to see you do this, you just express yourself. I felt 'I'm now playing', so my only thought was how can I perform and make the team win," Dube said.
The lanky left-hander carried on his excellent form to the IPL 2024, excelling against both spin and pace. He credited the mindset instilled into him by the legendary MS Dhoni and CSK head coach Stephen Fleming that brought about a change in his T20 game.
"When I came into the CSK setup, Mahi bhai and Fleming told me that you have to hit. But they've never said it has to be from the first ball. Even they know doing that can be risky. It was at the back of my mind that if they have faith in me, why should I take undue risks in my first 10 balls?"
"That plan was, yes, I'm hitting (big) now, but how can I do it right through? Mentally, I prepared myself to see what my approach should be if a bowler bowls a particular ball. It took some time for me to apply this, but I'm set now.”
“I watch the ball really well, and as it hits the bat, I get the feel that it's gone, it's done, it'll go for six and go long. Special thanks to CSK. They brought me up and it has worked for me."
Dube’s six-hitting abilities and clean bat-swing has led to his comparisons with former India batter Yuvraj Singh.
"It feels nice when people compare my batting to his (Yuvraj). If I can also perform like him, it'll be nice. When I came into the national team, Ravi bhai (Shastri, who was the head coach then) told me 'you hit sixes like Yuvraj Singh'.”
“From Yuvraj, I learnt that even if he wouldn't hit off the first seven-eight balls, he covered it up towards the end. It’s something I’ve prepped myself up for mentally. If people think I can (hit like Yuvraj), maybe I actually can do it. It's important to apply the right things at the right time," he concluded.
(With IANS Inputs)
