Not just spinners, but I try to hit pacers as well, says Dube

Shivam Dube took apart pace and spin alike on Wednesday in his blistering 65 off just 23 balls in India’s unsuccessful 216-run chase against New Zealand in the fourth T20I. His incredible knock instilled faith in a pursuit, in which India had lost four of its most explosive batters by the 9th over.

“It’s just my hard work. I’m getting better with my mindset because I’m batting in such situations. So, I know what’s going to happen, and what a bowler might come at me with,” Dube said.

“That’s the key point for my batting and bowling as well. I’m bowling, thanks to Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) and Surya bhai (Suryakumar Yadav). When you bowl, you become a little smart. I’m working on that as well and trying to develop more skills.”

Dube acknowledged that experience has played a significant role in reshaping his approach.

“All players upgrade themselves… I can’t be the same as I was. I try to be a little better, and a little smarter in the next game. Working hard in the nets is one thing, but applying it in the match is another.”

Dube’s prowess against spin makes him a valuable asset to field in the middle overs. While Ish Sodhi’s legspin gave him the perfect launchpad to tear into the Kiwis, he insisted that he’s working on hammering pacers just the same.

“I always try to hit not just the spinners but the fast bowlers as well. With the kind of cricket we’re playing, we know when to attack and when to defend. There was an opportunity when I wanted to attack, and I did.”