
T20 World Cup | Shivam Dube press conference after India beat Netherlands
“When I first entered the IPL, I was struggling with the fast bowlers and I wasn’t hitting the ball cleanly. I realized that if I want to dominate at this level and have the strength to do it, I have to work on that aspect. I put in a lot of effort in the off-season. Mahi bhai told me that it’s not necessary to hit sixes every time. Boundaries and stroke rotation are equally important.“That clarity has helped me. If I get a good ball, I look for a boundary or rotate the strike. I will naturally go harder in the death overs, but at the start of the innings I focus on a smart intention,” Dube told Jio Hotstar, as quoted by news agency IANS.Talking about pressure situations, Dube said he will focus on batting according to the script of the match and stay till the end if needed.“I don’t feel the pressure; I focus on the situation. If wickets are falling, it is my responsibility to bat deep. If I stay till the end, I know I can add 10-15 crucial runs in the final over. I avoid taking unnecessary risks in the middle overs. If the situation calls for stability, I will rotate the strike. If the platform is set, I am ready to attack from the first ball,” he said.Dube came into bat when India were 69 for 3 after nine overs and steadied the innings with a 66-run knock off 31 balls.He also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets for 35 runs in three overs. He was named player of the match for his all-round performance.