I Have Learned A Lot From Virat Kohli - Shivam Dube Says His 2-Season Experience At RCB Was Huge

All-rounder Shivam Dube reminisces on the time he spent in the dressing room of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the last couple of seasons, and terms the learning and experience gained as “huge” under RCB and India skipper, Virat Kohli.

Shivam Dube played 15 matches in the two seasons at RCB; he doesn’t have significant numbers to show with the bat – 169 runs at 16.90 striking at 122.46 – but was decent with the ball last season picking up 4 wickets at an economy of 8.11, and did a fine job as the sixth bowler.

He fared well in domestic cricket and impressed Virat Kohli with his attitude at RCB leading up to his international debut for India when Hardik Pandya was injured.

Now, the Mumbai-born all-rounder was roped in by the Rajasthan Royals at the February auction for IPL 2021 for INR 4.4 crore after being released by RCB. As Shivam Dube gears up for a new season, he will look to reap benefits from the lessons he garnered at his previous franchise.

“I learned a lot at RCB. The experience was huge. Virat has a lot of experience. He is one of the best cricketers in the world. He is currently at the highest level of cricket. I have learned a lot from him,” Shivam Dube told Times of India.

Not thinking about Hardik or my future; my focus is on performing well in the IPL: Shivam Dube

The 27-year-old is at crossroads in his international career. He was given his India debut in late 2019 and featured in 1 ODI and 13 T20I matches. Apart from a solitary T20I fifty, he didn’t really have any significant performance to show and was dropped immediately after conceding 34 runs in a single over against New Zealand.

“Performing in every match and coming back into the Indian side would be great, but I am not thinking about it right now. The focus is on performing well in the IPL. Becoming better is more important than thinking about being in the international side.

“Yes, as an all-rounder people have looked at me as a replacement of Hardik. As he is back in the side, there is no place in the Indian team right now. But I will reiterate that my focus is on getting better. My competition is with Shivam only. I am not thinking about Hardik or my future,” he asserted.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Feeling In Mumbai Indians Camp Is Electric And Upbeat, We Hope To Continue From Where We Left In Dubai Last Season, Says Rohit Sharma