Finally, India’s young gun Shivam Dube hit his straps when it mattered the most for team in the ongoing T20I World Cup. Shivam Dube played a crucial innings of 33 unbeaten, alongside Suryakumar Yadav, who scored 50 unbeaten, to guide India to victory over USA on Wednesday. With the win, India booked their place into the Super Eight stage of the tournament. 

Big hitter Shivam Dube hasn’t had the easiest of times in the ongoing tournament, having failed to demonstrate his batting skills in the last two games. Against Ireland, Dube couldn’t open his account as India had reached the winning figures and he remained unbeaten on (0). Later, In the high-octane clash against Pakistan, Dube could only manage to score 3 off 9 balls, with India fighting hard to trounce their arch-rivals Pakistan. Despite massive challenge from Pakistan, India kept the upper hand, beating them by 6 runs. 

Meanwhile, the pitch at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, has left the batters baffled. Admitting the challenges, Shivam Dube said conditions overpower the batters in New York. 

“It felt like (playing) Ranji Trophy. I don’t think in white ball. Conditions dictate how you want to play here (New York). You have to choose your best shot to hit a six. Today, I was waiting for that opportunity. It’s not easy to come here and start hitting from ball one; you have to take your time,” Dube told PTI.

“Obviously I miss six-hitting at CSK and in India…it’s difficult to bat here in these conditions and in the nets as well. It is definitely better to bowl here, I would have bowled more but was hit for a six and didn’t get opportunity,” Dube said.

India, in their chase of 111 against USA, lost both openers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma early to reel under huge pressure. Rishabh Pant coming at no 3 released some pressure with his 18 runs. But, Shivam Dube and Suryakumar Yadav became the saviour for India with their valuable contributions.  

“All the support staff and coaches backed me and told me, ‘It’s difficult, but you have the ability to hit sixes, so apply it.’ I’ve never doubted myself for what I’ve done in the past. I just think that these conditions do not demand what I’ve done at CSK. These conditions require a different approach, so I was batting differently today,” he added.