The MS Dhoni 'Advice' That Turned Shivam Dube Into A Star Performer

Seen as the bonafide six-hitter in the Indian team, Shivam Dube, reaffirmed his credentials for T20 World Cup 2024 selection, mesmerising fand and experts with his twin half-centuries in the first two T20Is against Afghanistan. One of the biggest hitters when the spinners are in operation, Dube blazed away to scintillating fifties in the first two T20 Internationals against Afghanistan, making a fairly good spin attack look pedestrian with his power-hitting. Dube also credited MS Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings for his heroics in the shortest, but what exactly was the mantra he was given?

Former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund, in a chat on Jio Cinema, claimed that Dhoni advised Dube against attacking the short ball, a tip that has done wonders for the left-handed batter.

"A little birdie told me that Dube had a chat with MS Dhoni and he told him - not rocket science - don't attack the short ball," Mukund said.

Dube, in a chat with the broadcaster after the second T20I, gave insights into his preparation and approach to the game, that seems to be focussed only on the present at the moment.

"It's a pleasure to keep improving my performance as I am going along. The range I have is god's gift and I have also worked a lot on it. I have developed many areas of my game and I am getting the runs on the board," Dube said.

On way to his an unbeaten 63 off 32 balls in the second T20I here on Sunday, Dube smashed four towering sixes and five fours, as India chased down a target of 173 with as many as 26 balls to spare.

Also grabbing the headlines with the willow was the returning Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hammered a 34-ball 68.

On how hard it is to think only about the present and not about the forthcoming T20 World Cup, Dube said, "In