Veteran domestic batsman Abhinav Mukund has disclosed that it was MS Dhoni who helped Shivam Dube tackle his short-ball weakness, something which has been on display in his rampant batting since the last IPL season.
Shivam Dube’s career arc has shot up since IPL 2023 where he played the role of a middle-overs basher to the tee for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), helping the franchise lift their fifth IPL title.
On the back of that, Dube made a comeback to Team India in the T20I setup with Hardik Pandya either rested or injured. Recently, his two sensational knocks against Afghanistan in the ongoing T20I series has propelled Dube into contention for a spot in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
The southpaw cracked a 60-run unbeaten knock in 40 balls and claimed one wicket in the first T20I in Mohali. In the second T20I in Indore, Dube was even more belligerent in his hitting as he clobbered 63* runs in 32 balls as India made a mockery of the target of 173 runs. He took one wicket in the second T20I as well.
Speaking with Jio Cinema ahead of the second T20I in Indore, Abhinav Mukund revealed that MS Dhoni has played a crucial role in Dube overcoming his short-ball weakness with a special tip.
Mukund said: “A little birdie told me that Dube had a chat with MS Dhoni and he told him – not rocket science – don’t attack the short ball.”
Dube averaged a whopping 84 against short length in 2023 in T20s, which is way better compared to the average of 23 in 2022.
Credit goes to the CSK team and Mahi bhai: Shivam Dube
The 30-year-old who is now at his peak credited MS Dhoni and CSK for the turnaround in his career.
“This credit goes to the CSK team and Mahi bhai. I always had the game, but what CSK do is take out that game from a player. So, they have given me that confidence. They told me that I could score runs in IPL and that they believed in me. The likes of Hussey and Fleming said they had faith in me and that I could do what they wanted,” the all-rounder said.
“When I was with CSK, he (MS Dhoni) told me that I had the capability to bat well. But he told me to be smart. So, I focussed on my limitations and what I could do well,” he added.
Shivam Dube said, “my success credit goes to MS Dhoni and CSK. Mahi bhai gave me confidence that I can do it, CSK management told me they believed in me and always had the faith that I could perform”. pic.twitter.com/3r6YwzAMUH
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 14, 2024
