Shivam Dube, the versatile Indian cricketer, thanks MS Dhoni for providing motivation to boost his endgame abilities. This mentoring occurred as Dube successfully led the Indian team to their win in the first T20I against Afghanistan. Dube said that being a part of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) gives him chances to learn from Dhoni.
Dube stood out in the match, hitting 60* off 40 balls, which led India to their six-wicket win over Afghanistan in the first T20I in Mohali, Thursday, January 11. In addition, Dube contributed in fielding by securing 1/9 in his spell. India had to score 159, which they managed to do within 17.3 overs.
In a post-match conversation, the 30-year-old player expressed how Dhoni’s coaching impacted his approach to batting, especially in the final rounds.
“It felt very good to get a good opportunity. I was keeping myself ready to not miss an opportunity. When I came to bat, I wanted to finish the match. I learned it from Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), I wanted to finish the match well.”
Shivam Dube
The 30-year-old continued by saying that he and the Indian icon have ongoing conversations about his desire to improve as a finishing role player.
“I always keep talking to Mahi bhai. He is such a big legend. I always keep learning from him, by seeing him and observing him. He has told me a couple of things about my game. He always rates me, saying I play well. If he rates me, then that gives me motivation to keep playing well, because of which my confidence is very high.”
Shivam Dube
Under Dhoni’s guidance, the hard-hitting southpaw excelled for CSK in the IPL 2023 after playing poorly for several other teams. In 16 games, he hit 418 runs at a 158.33 strike rate, including three half-centuries.
“It’s very special” – Shivam Dube on his half-century in Mohali
Against Afghanistan on Thursday in Mohali, Dube scored his second T20I half-century. He described his innings as quite remarkable, looking back on how he seized the chance that presented itself.
“It’s very special because I came into the Indian team after a long time and got an opportunity. It was very important especially because when you chase, a batter’s thinking in T20s is always to finish the game. I finished the game for the team, so felt really good.”
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube has played in 19 Twenty20 international matches thus far, scored 212 runs with a strike rate of 139.47 and an average of 35.33.