(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] India all-rounder Shivam Dube opined on his comeback to international cricket, talking about the MS Dhoni factor in his resurgence.
Dube displayed an all-round show in the first T20I of the ongoing series against Afghanistan. He took a wicket while conceding just nine runs in his two overs. He also smashed 60* runs off 40 deliveries, highlighting India’s six-wicket win with his career-best T20I score.
While Dube has started to do well for India, he was nowhere near the national team after getting dropped in 2020 until Chennai Super Kings (CSK) picked him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 auction.
Under Dhoni, Dube’s career found a new lease of life as in IPL 2022, he smashed 264 runs at a strike-rate of 156.22. He bettered the numbers in the next season, scoring 418 runs at an average of 38 and a strike-rate of 158.33, hitting the second-most sixes (35) that year.
Crediting Dhoni for his success, Dube shared that he has learned a lot from the CSK skipper, who also has given him a few tips.
“I keep talking to Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni). He is such a big player and a legend. I keep learning from him. I observe him. He keeps telling me how to bat in different situations. He has given me a couple of tips (that has worked). He has rated me many times as a very good player. If he’s rating me as a good player, then I will definitely play well. My confidence was very high,” Dube said as quoted on JioCinema.
When asked about his medium-pace bowling, the 30-year-old stated that has put in a lot of work to improve it. He also added that India captain Rohit Sharma will make him bowl regularly as per the match situations.
“As far as bowling is concerned, it didn’t come overnight. I was working on it. I was waiting for the opportunity to bowl also and today when I finally got that, I made use of it.
“Rohit has told me that I will get to bowl 2-3 overs every match depending on the match situation. That is a big positive for me that I would get to bowl regularly,” Dube mentioned.