The range I have is God’s gift, and I have also worked a lot on it: Shivam Dube

India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Indore on Sunday with Shivam Dube putting up yet another stellar show hitting an unbeaten 63 (32b, 5x4, 4x6). He spoke to JioCinema and Sports18 experts Saba Karim and Parthiv Patel on the factors that have helped him improve his game.

Excerpts: 

On the range of his shot-making 

It’s a pleasure to keep improving my performance as I am going along. The range I have is God’s gift, and I have also worked a lot on it. I have developed many areas of my game, and I am getting the runs on the board. 

 On how hard it is to think only about the present and not about the forthcoming T20 World Cup 

In the past, I have thought a lot about the future. But I have realized that I have to focus on the present. I have to focus on how to improve my skills, so that’s more important to me. I just try to keep myself grounded and try to focus on what I have to do. 

 On the amount of work that has gone into improving his game against short balls 

I have worked a lot on it. When I was playing domestic cricket, I was able to dominate all the bowlers, but when it came to IPL and Indian cricket it was not easy as bowlers were bowling over 140km/hr. I worked a lot with side arms, but it is more about the mindset with which I worked.  

 On the methods he has employed that have resulted in a significant improvement 

This credit goes to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) because I always had this game in me. They have brought out the best in me. They have always encouraged me and said that they believe in me. Stephen Fleming and Mike Hussey have shown faith in me.  

 On his mindset as a finisher 

As a middle-order batsman, my role is to take on spinners and improve the strike rate. But when it is like getting 20-25 runs, I focus on that. What I have seen Mahi bhai do for a long time, I am working in that direction. I have to keep myself calm and composed and just focus on one ball at a time.