Visakhapatnam roared with excitement despite India’s 50-run defeat to New Zealand in the fourth T20I, all thanks to all-rounder Shivam Dube’s breathtaking performance. Batting at number six, Dube smashed a blistering half-century off just 15 balls, marking the third-fastest in Indian men’s T20I history. His 65 off 23 balls, laced with seven towering sixes, lit up the innings even as the team faltered.
Post-match, Dube opened up on how consistent game time has sharpened his instincts. ‘Playing in varied conditions has made me read the bowlers better,’ he said, emphasizing his evolved mental approach. ‘I now anticipate their plans – that’s the key to my batting and bowling.’
Dube’s onslaught against spinners was particularly ruthless, scoring 36 runs off them at a staggering strike rate of 400. He targeted New Zealand’s leg-spinner Ish Sodhi in the 12th over, plundering 29 runs in a single outburst. ‘No fixed plan; it was instinct,’ Dube revealed. ‘I sensed his pressure and waited for the loose ball.’
Grateful to coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for bowling opportunities, Dube noted how it makes him ‘smarter.’ His role in the middle overs is clear: accelerate relentlessly, especially against spin, by mastering match-ups.
India, already series champions, eyes a winning finish in the fifth T20I in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. Dube’s emergence as a game-changer signals brighter days ahead for the Men in Blue, blending power with newfound tactical acumen.