Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has praised Shivam Dube for improving his physical and mental strength in the last one year, which has helped the all-rounder in reaping the rich rewards. Dube scored a fine knock of 66 runs off just 31 balls, with the help of four fours and six maximums. Thus, he played an instrumental role in helping India post 193 runs on the board.
The left-hander scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 212.90 and batted at the top of his game. The southpaw completed his fifty off just 25 balls and did a fantastic job for the team.
Furthermore, Dube registered figures of 2-35 in three overs he bowled against the Dutch.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “I believe he has gone to a dietician and developed muscle strength for bowling. There is a big difference between the Dube we saw in the IPL to now. Even his face just looks slimmer. His hits are all clean with no mistimed shots. He doesn’t shuffle and remains still when hitting big. He is seemingly more focused.”
“He himself said that he worked on his fitness and technique. He also said MS Dhoni gave him a lot of advice about not needing to always hit sixes off short balls and just take singles. A lot of homework has gone in during the off-season. He has practiced a lot to the point where good length deliveries are being dispatched with ease.”
Despite getting off to a slow start against the Netherlands, Dube played with maturity and later changed his gears to play a match-winning knock.
“He has worked on his game a lot. He wasn’t a success in the last two IPLs. He had only five runs off his first 10 balls. The old Dube would have looked to smash the next ball. But here, he took his time, got his eye in, and played the situation. In T20 cricket, you’ll get your eye in after 10 balls. Then, he smashed the deliveries in his arc,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
Srikkanth praised Dube for his pyrotechnics and for lifting his game in the last six months.
“I’ve not seen ball striking like this. There’s no stepping out, yet the sixes are going miles. His consistency has been very good the last six months. He might not get big scores, but it’s all useful 30s and 40s, like the Pakistan game.”
India will take on South Africa in their opening game of the Super 8 stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.
