Mohali: Following his victorious performance against Afghanistan, Shivam Dube, acknowledging a familiar pattern, once again attributed his success to the guidance of MS Dhoni.

When MS Dhoni bestows high praise upon a player, success inevitably follows, and Shivam Dube is the latest addition to the growing list of talented youngsters endorsed by the legendary cricketer who have risen to prominence for India. Hailing from Mumbai, the tall all-rounder had been under the selectors’ observation since 2019, but a few inconsistent performances with the bat had pushed him down the pecking order. The game-changer occurred when he was acquired by the Chennai Super Kings in the 2022 IPL mega auction for ₹4 crore, a day that coincided with him becoming a father. Dube showcased his potential that season, boasting a strike rate of 156.22. However, the real breakthrough unfolded in the subsequent year.

Renowned for his powerful striking, the left-hander Shivam Dube left an indelible mark by hammering an impressive 35 sixes in 16 matches for CSK during the IPL 2023 season. Accumulating a formidable tally of 418 runs at a striking rate of 158, Dube swiftly made a comeback. However, despite reclaiming his spot in the T20I side, opportunities didn’t materialize as frequently as anticipated. Notably absent from India’s full-strength XI, Dube’s participation in the five matches of 2023, two in Ireland and three in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, occurred primarily due to the unavailability or rest of several first-XI cricketers.

Although Dube was selected for the home series against Australia post the World Cup, he didn’t get the chance to play a single match. Surprisingly, he was omitted from the South Africa tour. Yet, with India actively seeking a backup for the injured Hardik Pandya, an opportunity arose once again. Dube found himself in the squad for the three-match series against Afghanistan, and significantly, he not only made the cut but also played in the first match.

And indeed, he seized the opportunity with gusto. The 30-year-old left a lasting impression by unleashing an unbeaten 60 off 40 balls, marking a career-best performance in T20Is. His spectacular innings played a pivotal role in steering India to a commanding six-wicket victory in Mohali. For his outstanding display, he was rightfully awarded the Player of the Match, with his innings featuring two sixes and five fours.

Following the match, Shivam Dube, not for the first time, attributed his success to the guidance of MS Dhoni. In the post-match show on Jio Cinema, he shared, “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 also revealed the support he received from Rohit Sharma, stating, “Rohit has assured me of giving 2-3 overs every match.” Despite previous doubts about his bowling skills at the highest level, the right-arm medium pacer made a significant stride toward establishing himself as a well-rounded all-rounder during the match against Afghanistan. He bowled two tight overs in the middle, conceding only nine runs and also claimed the wicket of Rahmat Shah.

Shivam Dube, regarding his bowling performance, stated, “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.” He emphasized the preparation behind his bowling skills.

Dube also shared that Captain Rohit Sharma has provided him with assurance, saying, “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.”

When questioned about his aspiration to make it to India’s squad for the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies in June, Dube expressed a measured approach, stating, “It’s every cricketer’s dream to represent the country in a World Cup. It will always be at the back of my mind, but there is a long time to go, so I would like to take it step-by-step.“