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T20 World Cup 2024 – How Shivam Dube knew he was in the reckoning for the World Cup

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May 2, 2024

T20 World Cup 2024 - How Shivam Dube knew he was in the reckoning for the World Cup

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Shivam Dube had a “lot of butterflies” and “sleepless nights” within the lead as much as India’s squad choice for the T20 World Cup 2024, however he had greater than an inkling that he was within the staff administration’s plans.

Final August, after greater than three years away, Dube earned a T20I recall on the again of a stellar run at IPL 2023. Dube had reinvented himself as a spin-hitter and was central to Chennai Tremendous Kings’ triumph that 12 months. He struck at 176.47 towards the spinners, and hit them for 22 sixes, essentially the most by any batter in IPL 2023. He hit 418 runs in all within the season.

Nevertheless, it wasn’t till January 2024 that he may replicate his IPL success on the worldwide degree. He struck unbeaten half-centuries back-to-back (60* and 63*) and was named Participant of the Sequence for his 124 runs within the three-match sequence towards Afghanistan at residence. He additionally bowled seven overs throughout three video games then.

“After I bought picked for the Afghanistan sequence, Rohit [Sharma, captain] bhai advised me I’ll [get a chance to] bowl and bat too,” Dube mentioned in a chat with bcci.television within the build-up to India’s squad announcement. “He mentioned, ‘simply present us what you are able to do.’ If the captain comes up and tells you we wish to see you do that, you simply categorical your self. I felt ‘I am now taking part in’, so my solely thought was how can I carry out and make the staff win.”

Dube has continued his hitting kind to date at IPL 2024. He is at the moment third (26) on the six-hitters listing, behind Heinrich Klaasen (28) and Abhishek Sharma (27). He credit this batting transformation to his transfer from Rajasthan Royals to CSK forward of the 2023 season.

“After I got here into the CSK setup, Mahi [MS Dhoni] bhai and [Stephen] Fleming advised me that you must hit. However they’ve by no means mentioned it needs to be from the primary ball,” Dube mentioned. “Even they know doing that may be dangerous. It was in the back of my thoughts that if they’ve the religion in me, why ought to I take undue dangers in my first 10 balls?

“That plan was, sure, I am hitting [big] now, however how can I do it proper via? Mentally, I ready myself to see what my strategy needs to be if a bowler bowls a specific ball. It took a while for me to use this, however I am set now. I watch the ball very well, and because it hits the bat, I get the texture that it is gone, it is finished, it will go for six and go lengthy. Particular because of CSK. They introduced me up their manner and it has labored for me.”

Dube’s bat swing and clear hitting has elicited comparisons with Yuvraj Singh at his peak. Dube chuckles on the point out of his identify alongside Yuvraj’s, however hopes he can develop the identical type of consistency to go along with his six-hitting capacity.

“Sure, there may be some resemblance to Yuvraj Singh,” Dube mentioned. “It feels good when individuals liken my batting to his. If I may also carry out like him, it will be good. After I got here into the Indian staff, Ravi [Shastri, then head coach] bhai advised me ‘you hit sixes like Yuvraj Singh.’

“From watching [Yuvraj] bat, I’ve learnt even when he would not hit off the primary seven-eight balls, he lined it up in direction of the top. I’ve learnt that and ready mentally for it too. If individuals assume I can do that [bat like him], possibly I actually can. Why not? It is essential to use the best issues on the proper time.”