Shivam Dube reveals Rohit Sharma’s advice that motivated him to perform better

Shivam Dube is set for a maiden appearance in an ICC event, with the Indian team picking him in their 15 for the T20 World Cup that takes place right after the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).

Not only has Dube been in outstanding form for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024, especially as a finisher and someone who can take on the spinners in the middle overs, he also had a red-hot run for the Indian team in the T20I series against Afghanistan at home in January, which would’ve positioned him as an ideal candidate for the middle order.

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In a video shared on bcci.tv on the same day as India’s squad announcement for the showpiece T20I event, the Mumbai all-rounder revealed the advice that he had received from India captain Rohit Sharma during the Afghanistan series and how it motivated him even further to deliver his best on the field.

“When I came for the Afghanistan series, Rohit bhai told me ‘bowling bhi daalega, batting bhi milega tere ko’ (You’ll bowl and get to bat as well). You just have to show what you are capable of.

“So that is what I was focussing on, because if the captain tells you that they want to see you perform, it motivates you. When I was playing, all I was thinking about was how I could perform better and help my team,” Dube said in the video posted by the BCCI on Tuesday.

Also Read | Shivam Dube the finisher that CSK and India need

Dube had been acquired by CSK for a sum of Rs 4 crore in the 2022 mega auction. The all-rounder would then play a key role in the MS Dhoni-led side’s triumph in 2023, scoring 418 runs in the middle order at a strike rate of 158.33 and an average of 38.

In the video, Dube also credited the Super Kings, especially former skipper Dhoni and head coach Stephen Fleming, for his transformation as a cricket over the last couple of years.

“When I came into the CSK setup, Mahi (MS Dhoni) bhai and (Stephen) 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 trust in me, why should I take undue risks in my first 10 balls?

“Mentally, I prepared myself to know what my approach should be if a bowler bowls a particular ball. It took some time, but I’m set now. I watch the ball really well, and as it hits the bat, I get the feel that it’ll go for six and go long. Special thanks to CSK. They brought me up and it has worked for me,” Dube added.

The Mumbaikar has collected 350 runs in the ongoing IPL season at an average of 58.33 — an impressive number for an all-rounder, especially a finisher — with an even better strike rate of 172.41. He is expected to play a crucial role in the Indian middle order in the T20 World Cup next month along with vice-captain Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.