MUMBAI: In T20 cricket, contributions in clutch moments often matter as much as the volume of runs or wickets. Over the last two years, Shivam Dube has repeatedly delivered when India needed him most.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, India were reduced to 106/4 and needed someone to support Virat Kohli and guide them to a competitive total. Rohit Sharma backed Dube’s temperament, sending him ahead of Hardik Pandya. The lefthander responded with a crucial 16-ball 27 as he shared a 57-run fifth-wicket stand with Kohli, helping India reach 176/7.
Last year, in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, Dube was again pushed up the order, this time ahead of Rinku Singh, and once again rose to the occasion. Walking in with India at 77/4, he stitched a 40-ball 60-run partnership with Tilak Varma to steer India to a five-wicket win, scoring a 22-ball 33.The 32-year-old has continued to make timely contributions in this edition of the T20 World Cup and will look to do so again when India face England in Thursday’s semifinal at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium.It was here that Dube first grabbed attention during the inaugural T20 Mumbai League, smashing five sixes in an over for Shivaji Park Lions. He repeated the feat in a Ranji Trophy match against Baroda in 2018 and earned an IPL contract the following year.In this World Cup, Dube didn’t get going early against the USA and Namibia, but his batting has gathered momentum as the tournament progressed. His 17-ball 27 against Pakistan and a fluent 31-ball 66 against the Netherlands were widely praised, while his quick eight off four balls against the West Indies in the last match helped seal India’s place in the semifinals.The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder drew praise after that game, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah highlighting the importance of his brief cameo.“For me, Shivam’s two boundaries are as important as Sanju’s 97 because if he hadn’t hit those two boundaries, that knock might not even have been talked about,” Gambhir said. “The big contributions make headlines, but the small ones help the team cross the line.”Bumrah echoed that sentiment in a video posted by the ICC on Instagram. “The two fours that Dube hit — not many will appreciate that. But people who understand cricket know those two boundaries released the pressure,” he said.While Dube has been consistent with the bat, India would like more impact from him with the ball, where he has been expensive. Bowling coach Morne Morkel believes it is more about execution than form. “I don’t think it’s a loss of bowling form,” Morkel said on Wednesday. “Shivam knows his game pretty well. Sometimes the thinking behind the delivery is right, but the execution hasn’t been as good.”Morkel added that improving his decision-making with the ball will be key. “Teams are going to go after him, but that also creates wicket-taking opportunities. If he can be a little smarter and execute better, it’ll make a big difference.”Early in his international career, Dube struggled against short-pitched pace but worked hard in the nets to overcome that weakness. India will hope he can produce a similar turnaround with the ball as well.
