In the fourth T20I against Australia at Gold Coast, Shivam Dube played a crucial role in India's victory by taking key wickets, including Mitchell Marsh and Tim David. His bowling was instrumental in securing India's second win in the ongoing series.
Dube shared insights during the post-match press conference about his role, emphasizing his all-round capabilities beyond just batting. He highlighted the significance of bowling well to maintain his place in the team.
He credited guidance from Gautam Gambhir, Morne Morkel, and Surya for improving his bowling skills. Their advice helped him develop strategies suited to different pitch conditions, enhancing his performance.
"Yes, it's important for me to bowl well. Because when I got the chance [to play for India again], I knew that I had to bowl. Morne [Morkel], Gauti bhai and Surya, they came up with a very good plan for me, which track I have to go and what I have to bowl. Because there are some small things that have made my bowling better, which was not happening before despite trying hard.”
"Gauti bhai backed me a lot for that. Tu bindaas bowling daal [You bowl with a free mind]. You might concede runs but we want you to express yourself. So, I did that."
Despite scoring just 164 runs, which is relatively modest in modern T20 matches, Dube explained that the team viewed this total as competitive on the Gold Coast pitch.
"165 on this ground is a good score."
His contributions with the ball helped India build a strong foundation that led to their impressive win in Queensland.
Shivam Dube credits mentorship and strategic bowling for his crucial role in India's T20I win over Australia, highlighting the importance of expressing confidence on the field.