“Mahi bhai please listen to Raina bhai”: Shivam Dube post his impressive bowling against Afghanistan

Shivam Dube, the all-rounder who played a crucial role in India’s victory in the first T20I against Afghanistan at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, revealed that he learned the skill of finishing from veteran cricketer MS Dhoni. Dube’s unbeaten 60 off 40 balls guided India to chase down 159 with 6 wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare.

Dube, who last played for India in the Asian Games in 2023, made a remarkable comeback with his performance. He stated, “I learned it from MS Dhoni, I wanted to finish the match well. I always keep talking to Mahi bhai. He’s such a big legend. I always keep learning from him. He always rates me and that gives me motivation to keep playing well.”

Apart from his batting prowess, Dube also contributed with the ball, bowling 2 overs, conceding just nine runs, and picking up the crucial wicket of Afghanistan’s skipper Ibrahim Zadran. His all-round performance was crucial for India, especially in the absence of Hardik Pandya.

During a conversation with Suresh Raina, another seasoned cricketer from Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Raina joked about Dube’s bowling skills and suggested that Dhoni would include him for three overs in the upcoming IPL season. In response, Dube humorously urged Dhoni to listen to Raina’s suggestion, saying, “Mahi bhai please listen to Raina bhai (smiles).”

Reflecting on the match, Dube admitted, “I think it was really cold but I enjoyed playing on this ground. Playing after a long time and batting at No. 4 was a bit of pressure for me but I had one thing on my mind that I had to play my style of cricket.” He further added, “From my style, I feel a bit of pressure first 2-3 balls but after that I think about the ball and do not think too much. I know I can hit big sixes in T20s, so I know I can get runs anyway.”

When asked about a chat with Rohit Sharma post the game, Dube mentioned, “He said I played really well and that we’ll chat to improve my game in upcoming games. Today I got the opportunity and executed what I had to in bowling.”

Another key contributor in the run-chase, Rinku Singh, also acknowledged Dhoni’s influence on his batting approach. He mentioned, “I’ve spoken with Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni), he just told me to react according to the ball, keep your calm and I just do the same thing. I don’t think a lot while batting, just react to the ball.”

The first T20I between India and Afghanistan was an exciting contest, and Dube’s performance played a significant role in India’s victory. His ability to handle pressure and finish matches like Dhoni has made him an asset for the team.

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