NEW DELHI: Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube showcased his explosive six-hitting prowess, describing it as a "God's gift," as he played pivotal innings in India's triumph over Afghanistan in the second T20 International.
Dube's unbeaten 63 off 32 balls guided India to a comprehensive victory, chasing down a target of 173 with 26 balls to spare.
In an interview with JioCinema, Dube expressed his pleasure in continually improving his performance, attributing his expansive stroke range to natural talent and dedicated work.
"It's a pleasure to keep improving my performance as I am going along. The range I have is God's gift, and I have also worked a lot on it," said Dube.
Known for his proficiency against spinners, Dube acknowledged the challenges posed by express pace and bounce.
"I have worked a lot on it. When I was playing domestic cricket, I was able to dominate all the bowlers, but when it came to IPL and Indian cricket, it was not easy as bowlers were bowling over 140 km/hr," he admitted.
Dube credited the Chennai Super Kings, especially the guidance of MS Dhoni, for bringing out the best in him.
"They have brought out the best in me. They have always encouraged me and said that they believe in me. Stephen Fleming and Mike Hussey have shown faith in me," he acknowledged.
Reflecting on his mindset as a finisher, Dube drew inspiration from the legendary MS Dhoni.
1/10:2nd T20I: India seal series with dominant win over Afghanistan
AP
2/10:Yashasvi Jaiswal's explosive knock
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal smashed 68 off 34 balls, propelling India towards victory in Indore.ANI
3/10:Shivam Dube's unbeaten 63
Shivam Dube played another crucial innings, scoring an unbeaten 63 to secure India's win.ANI
4/10:India's unbeaten home record
Top-ranked India have been unbeaten at home for 15 consecutive T20 series.TOI Sports
5/10:Axar Patel's bowling brilliance
Left-arm spinner Axar Patel led the charge with figures of 2-17 to help dismiss Afghanistan for 172.PTI
6/10:Rohit's praise for Jaiswal and Dube
Skipper Rohit Sharma commended Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube for their exceptional performances in the match.PTI
7/10:Virat Kohli's return to T20I
Virat Kohli made a comeback to T20Is, contributing 29 runs in a partnership of 57 with Jaiswal.ANI
8/10:Jaiswal and Dube's partnership
Jaiswal put on a 92-run stand with left-handed partner Dube as India chased down their victory target with 26 balls to spare.ANI
9/10:Naib's aggressive batting
Gulbadin Naib took on the Indian bowling attack in his 35-ball 57 knock laced with five fours and four sixes.PTI
10/10:Afghanistan's middle order contribution
Najibullah Zadran (23 off 21 balls), Janat (10-ball 20) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (21 off nine) boosted the Afghanistan total.ANI"What I have seen Mahi bhai do for a long time, I am working in that direction. I have to keep myself calm and composed and just focus on one ball at a time," he stated.
The Mumbai all-rounder emphasized the importance of focusing on the present and continuous improvement, especially as India gear up for future competitions.
"In the past, I have thought a lot about the future. But I have realized that I have to focus on the present. I have to focus on how to improve my skills, so that's more important to me," he asserted.
As India secured the series win against Afghanistan, Dube's performance stood out, showcasing his ability to dominate opposition bowlers and contribute significantly as a middle-order batsman.
(With inputs from PTI)
