'Just show us what you can do' - Shivam Dube reveals Rohit Sharma's message after T20 World Cup selection

Shivam Dube is all set to make his first appearance in an ICC event as he has been named among the 15 players set to represent India in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

The seam-bowling all-rounder made his India debut in 2019 but he could not do justice to his talent and was subsequently left out. Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, Dube was signed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 4 crore. This turned out to be a major turning point in his career, as his consistent performances caught the eye of fans as well as experts.

In IPL 2022, he scored 289 runs from 11 matches at a strike rate of 156.22. This was just a teaser as the southpaw headlined a triumphant campaign for the Men in Yellow in IPL 2023amassing 418 runs at a strike rate of 158.33 in 16 matches. Dube also hit 22 sixes against the spinners, the most by any batter last year.

India played three T20Is against Afghanistan earlier this year and Dube was adjudged the Player of the Series after scoring two half-centuries and picking up a couple of wickets. He has taken the confidence from his excellent outings for CSK and India and scored 350 runs from nine matches at a strike rate of 172.41 in the ongoing edition of the IPL.

"When I got picked for the Afghanistan series, Rohit [Sharma, captain] bhai told me I will [get a chance to] bowl and bat too. He said, 'just show us what you can do.' If the captain comes up and tells you we want to see you do this, you just express yourself. I felt 'I'm now playing', so my only thought was how can I perform and make the team win," Dube said in a chat with bcci.tv in the build-up to India's squad announcement.

His remarkable performances did not go unnoticed as he received a call-up to India's squad for next month's T20 World Cup. The 30-year-old recently recalled what India captain Rohit Sharma told him ahead of the Afghanistan series.

Also Read: Comparing myself to Yuvi Paaji would be foolish: Shivam Dube

CSK brought me up their way and it has worked for me: Shivam Dube

Dube didn't forget to thank former CSK captain MS Dhoni, coach Stephen Fleming, and the entire team management for helping him unlock his true potential.

"When I came into the CSK setup, Mahi [MS Dhoni] bhai and [Stephen] Fleming told me that you have to hit. But they've never said it has to be from the first ball. Even they know doing that can be risky. It was at the back of my mind that if they have the faith in me, why should I take undue risks in my first 10 balls?" Dube said.

Also Read: MS Dhoni will always be a captain, even if he hasn't got the captaincy badge on: Brett Lee

"That plan was, yes, I'm hitting [big] now, but how can I do it right through? Mentally, I prepared myself to see what my approach should be if a bowler bowls a particular ball. It took some time for me to apply this, but I'm set now. I watch the ball really well, and as it hits the bat, I get the feel that it's gone, it's done, it'll go for six and go long. Special thanks to CSK. They brought me up their way and it has worked for me," he added.