Ahmedabad, February 19 Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube is rapidly enhancing his reputation as a premier power hitter with impactful performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup.
After crucial cameos on challenging pitches against Namibia and Pakistan, Dube overcame a slow start to provide much-needed momentum to India's innings in the middle overs against the Netherlands here on Wednesday.
Initially tested by off-spinner Aryan Dutt, who conceded only six runs in his first 11 balls, Dube stepped up to end with a match-winning 31-ball 66, including six sixes.
Playing in his second T20 World Cup, Dube was always known for his ability to hit big against spinners, but now he has also proven himself effective against fast bowlers.
His improved play against fast bowlers was evident against the Netherlands, where he effectively dispatched Logan van Been for three maximums, reading his variations well.
Dube has also improved his short-ball hitting, and he credits this to the hard work he put in after joining Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
He believes that even if he gets a few dot balls, he knows that he will eventually get the big hits.
"Yes, obviously when you play dot balls in T20, you feel the pressure. But as a player, as a batsman, I know that if I am at 2 runs in 10 balls, then in the next 5 balls, if I hit two sixes, it will be covered.
"So that's what I always keep in mind. Yes, the wicket is gone, so it's important that we have to build a partnership, and for that, even if 2-4 balls are not hit, it's fine, but later it gets covered," said Dube after being awarded the player of the match.
He also attributed his success to getting more game time in pressure situations.
"I have got the opportunity to play in those situations. So when you play, you always learn. So I have played and I have become a little smarter in those situations. So I know that yes, this bowler can come to me on this ball.
"These are the strengths. I think the fast bowler can bowl short or slower, but I have worked really hard towards all those things, and yes, now I am getting better," he said.
Dube's confidence levels are high, and this was reflected in his comments about his maiden T20 World Cup fifty.
"So today was the day I felt, and I needed to be smart and push myself, and I needed to stay till the end, but yes, I also needed to back my strengths, and that's what I did, and yeah, that's why I'm known as a power hitter," he said.
He also added about how CSK changed him as a cricketer: "Yes, when I came to CSK, I was struggling (against short ball). And yes, in that (first) season, I got some runs. But it was important for me to come back strong in the next season because I knew that I could dominate in IPL and international cricket as well, so in that off-season, I worked really hard towards short ball."
