I know I can hit big sixes – Shivam Dube after his Player of the Match performance in the 1st T20I

India had an early stutter while chasing 160 against Afghanistan in the first T20I as they lost Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in quick succession. However, calming the frayed nerves in the dugout, Shivam Dube stepped up and played a battering knock of 60 from just 40 balls that saw India comfortably sail through without breaking a sweat.

Dube’s fine run with the bat continued as he showed his calm under pressure. Knitting together crucial stands alongside Tilak Verma, Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh, the hard-hitting all-rounder ensured that India got home in the end.

Awarded the Player of the Match for his defining performance, Dube said, “It was really cold. I enjoyed playing on this ground. Playing after a long time and batting at number four, there was some pressure on me. I had one thing in my mind, that I have to play my game.”

He further added, “First 2-3 balls, I feel a bit of pressure, after that I just focus on the ball and I don't think much on what's going on. In T20s, I know what I bat, and I know I can hit big sixes, so I can generate runs any time. Bowling, today I got the opportunity and I executed what I needed.”