Dube’s all-round show, scoring 66 with the bat and 2/35 with the ball, along with Varun Chakravarthy’s superb 3/14, extended India’s winning streak to 12 matches in T20 World Cups.
Photo: IANS
Moments after producing his career-best T20I knock in the 17-run win against the Netherlands helped India sail into the Super Eight unscathed, star all-rounder Shivam Dube said he thrives in pressure situations.
Dube’s all-round show, scoring 66 with the bat and 2/35 with the ball, along with Varun Chakravarthy’s superb 3/14, extended India’s winning streak to 12 matches in T20 World Cups.
Advertisement
The 66 now stands as Dube’s highest T20I score, eclipsing his 65 against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam earlier this year and the unbeaten 63 versus Afghanistan in Indore in 2024.
Advertisement
“It was a little tough; this is the situation I love to bat. I was enjoying it, although I was under pressure. It was skidding and keeping low. One of the balls spun as well. For me, I knew I could hit, but the situation demanded something different. I try to hit boundaries and enjoy hitting sixes. I know all the bowlers are going to bluff me and are going to bowl slower balls, so I prepared myself.
“As the captain and coach have told me, I have to keep the strike rate high. But it also depends on the situation. Today, I could not keep the strike rate high (immediately). There was something, and I thought it was time I could go now. Working hard towards bowling. Results are coming. You are going to get hit sometimes, but you will also pick wickets,” he explained.
Suryakumar hails all-round show
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav heaped praises on the team’s collective effort after they successfully defended 193/6. “We wanted to bat first, and went on to score 190. There was a bit of dew, a little challenging for the bowlers, but all in all, very happy,” Suryakumar said after the match.
“When he (Dube) played at Vizag (against NZ), he had another knock. He wanted to get the POTM award that day too, but to get to 190 (tonight), it was amazing,” Suryakumar said in praise of the Mumbai all-rounder.
Reflecting on the overall performance, the skipper emphasised adaptability and depth.
“We might be in a similar situation (losing early wickets), but it is important for the batters to understand what the responsibility is. We have firepower (later). We have ticked a lot of boxes. Even when you win, you learn a lot of things, and we did today.”
He also underlined the value of bowling options in varied conditions. “Sometimes it is a good headache to have. Have a lot of options. On a given day, whatever the wicket demands, they can chip in. Happy with the way things are moving. Contributions coming from every batter. One or two might have a beautiful day, but we need contributions from each and every one.”
Meanwhile, Dutch captain Scott Edwards acknowledged his side’s strong phases but admitted they failed to capitalise at crucial moments. “We started really well. A lot of credit to Aryan. He has been sensational for us for a few years. We felt right in the game (for a while). We know they have firepower all the way down. To keep them under control for 14-15 overs was sensational.”
He also conceded that the lapses proved costly. “A couple of missed chances, missed execution, and these guys will make you pay. They had wickets in hand and took down a few overs at the end.”
Looking at the larger experience, Edwards pointed to the lessons gained from competing in India. “Any time you come here, you learn a lot. Grounds are smaller, pitches are flatter, crowds are bigger, and there is so much hype. As a group, we pride ourselves on playing well in the big moments. Played well, but in those moments, we have to make those moments count,” he said.
Advertisement
