Mohali. Shivam Dubey has credited Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain MS Dhoni for changing his attitude and approach after his match-winning unbeaten 60 off 40 balls in India’s six-wicket win against Afghanistan in the first T20I.
Dubey, who returned to the T20 XI for the first time since the Asian Games in October last year, performed brilliantly with a half-century and 1/9 to help India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
When I came out to bat, I wanted to apply what I learned from MS Dhoni about finishing matches, ESPN Cricinfo quoted Dubey as saying. I keep talking to Mahi Bhai. He tells me how to deal with different situations. He gave me two-three tips and rated my batting. So, I think if he rates my batting, I will keep playing well. This increased my confidence.
Dubey mentioned that the support from both Dhoni and Indian captain Rohit Sharma gives him the confidence to excel in his performance.
“Both allow me to bat higher up the order,” he said. There is still a lot of work to do and I know they will support me and want me to do well. So, that makes me feel a lot more positive.
Dubey bowled the ninth and 12th overs of the innings and cleverly dismissed Afghanistan captain Ibrahim Zadran to get an important wicket. Speaking about his bowling performance, the 30-year-old all-rounder said: ‘The changes have not come suddenly. In the off-season, I worked a lot on my fitness.
After that, I bowled a lot in domestic cricket too so things got better. I was able to find the right zone and generate good speed.
–IANS