India all-rounder Shivam Dube has opened up about the advice he received from legendary Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni, which helped him dramatically improve his game. Early in his career, Dube struggled against short-pitched deliveries, often feeling the need to hit a six to dominate. Dhoni advised him that it wasn’t necessary to clear the boundary every time; even taking a single or a boundary was enough to maintain control.
Dube revealed in a post-match interview with former India cricketer Parthiv Patel on Star Sports that this guidance became a turning point in his career. “There was a time when I came to IPL, I was struggling a bit against short balls… Mahi bhai had told me that it is not necessary that you have to hit a six on that ball, you can hit a boundary or take a single,” Dube said. Taking this advice to heart, he worked extensively on his short-ball technique during the off-season, leading to significant improvement.
Dube’s form was on full display on February 19, during India’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands. He scored a blistering 31-ball 66 and took two wickets, earning the Player of the Match award and helping India secure a 17-run victory. Sharing the CSK dressing room with Dhoni since 2022, Dube credits his mentor’s insights for shaping him into a more confident and versatile all-rounder. With the Super 8s approaching, Dube’s current form adds firepower to India’s campaign to defend their T20 World Cup crown.
