IND vs AFG: Shivam Dube Reveals Big Compliment He Received From Rohit Sharma After His Match-Winning Performance

Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube was the Player of the Match in the first T20I against Afghanistan as he scored 60 runs off just 40 balls in India’s chase of 159 runs at Mohali. After the match, he received a big compliment from skipper Rohit Sharma. He helped India defeat Afghanistan by six wickets in the first T20I of their three-match series and take a 1-0 lead.

Shivam Dube dismissed Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim Zadran on a hard length ball after dropping his catch off Arshdeep Singh’s delivery when the batter was just on 1. He then showed his batting prowess against both the pace and spin to score his second T20I half-century. His first half-century came back in 2019 against West Indies. Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh finished the game for India as they chased the target comfortably against Afghanistan.

“I was batting at 4 after a long time. There was a bit of pressure on me, but it was clear in my mind that I had to play my game. From my style, I feel a bit of pressure on the first 2 to 3 balls, but after that, I think about the ball and don’t think too much,” Dube said.

The all-rounder said that Rohit Sharma appreciated his innings after the game. Shivam Dube gave away only nine runs while dismissing Ibrahim Zadran in his two overs. “Rohit Sharma said that I played really well and that we’ll chat to improve my game in upcoming games. Today, I got the opportunity with the ball and executed what I had to,” Dube added.

Shivam Dube Has Had A Decent T20I Career As Of Now

Shivam Dube has been in and out of the Indian team since his debut. He represents the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL currently and has played 19 T20Is for India where he has taken seven wickets and has scored 212 runs in 12 innings at an average of 35.33 and a strike rate of 139.47 which includes two half-centuries. He has never been a permanent member of the squad but with performances like these, he can establish himself in the team.

Shivam Dube has a good record in the IPL where he has scored 1106 runs in 47 innings at an average of 28.36 and a strike rate of 141.79. He has smashed six half-centuries in the IPL and with the ball he has taken four wickets in thirteen innings. He has played for three IPL franchises which are Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and his current franchise Chennai Super Kings.

India won the first T20I by six wickets and now they will face the Afghans in the second T20I of the series which will be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on January 14. Rohit Sharma is back as India’s T20I skipper and he is preparing himself to lead the side in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 which is scheduled to commence on June 1 and to be hosted jointly by the West Indies and the USA. The third T20I of the series will be played in Bengaluru on January 17.