All-rounder Shivam Dube credits CSK and MS Dhoni after his successive match-winning fifties vs Afghanistan 

Team India all-rounder Shivam Dube produced another sensational performance in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Dube, who won Player of the Match for his match-winning half-century in the first match, smashed another fifty-plus score in the second match in Indore on Sunday, January 14. The 30-year-old showed off his power-hitting skills with an unbeaten 63 off 32 balls, helping India comfortably chase down the target with four wickets in hand.

Dube has been undoubtedly India’s standout performer in the series so far. His unbeaten 60 and a wicket at an economy of 4.50 steered the hosts to a 6-wicket win in the series opener. The left-hander, who batted at number four, continued his red-hot form in the following match as India crossed the finish line in just 15.4 overs after the early dismissals of Rohit Sharma (0) and Virat Kohli (29).

They have given me that confidence: Dube hails CSK 

His 92-run partnership with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (64) took the game completely away from the opposition. Following his exploits at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Dube credited his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise and captain MS Dhoni for bringing out the best in him. In a chat with broadcaster JioCinema, the medium-pace bowling all-rounder spoke about Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) contribution in reviving his career.

“This credit goes to the CSK team and Mahi bhai. I always had the game, but what CSK do is take out that game from a player. So, they have given me that confidence. They told me that I could score runs in IPL and that they believed in me. The likes of Hussey and Fleming said they had faith in me and that I could do what they wanted,” Dube said.

“When I was with CSK, he (MS Dhoni) told me that I had the capability to bat well. But he told me to be smart. So, I focussed on my limitations and what I could do well,” he added.

CSK bought Dube in the IPL 2022 auction, which marked the turning point of his career. He previously had underwhelming seasons with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) but played a key role in their record-equalling fifth title with CSK, smashing 418 runs in 16 matches in IPL 2023. His performances for CSK opened doors to the national team and now he is knocking on the door of the selectors for a place in the 2024 T20 World Cup.