I'm working really hard - Shivam Dube

Shivam Dube’s knock of 66 from just 31 balls against Netherlands was a brilliant innings under pressure, bailing India out of a tricky situation in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.

Dube walked in when India were 69/3 after 9 overs having just lost Tilak Varma's wicket. He played the waiting game initially before unfurling a range of shots, smashing his highest score in T20I cricket.

Dube was also instrumental with the ball, claiming two wickets as he walked away with the Player of the Match award. Talking at the post-match presentation, Dube opened up on the late adjustment that he made to play the shots to perfection while also highlighting the special advice which he received from the Indian captain and the coach.

Pinpointing his late adjustment while playing shots, Dube said, “Yeah, definitely, because I have worked in that way also, because I know all the bowlers, they're going to block me as well. They'll not bowl me yorkers or length balls. They're going to come short. They're going to bowl me slower balls. So I prepared myself, so I was waiting for that.”

Highlighting the advice that he received from his captain, Suryakumar Yadav and coach, Gautam Gambhir, Dube said, “Yeah, definitely, as the captain and coach have told me that I have to keep the strike rate at high when I come in middle overs, but it depends on the situation. When I came today, it was not that situation I can take the strike-rate at high, but at some time there was, there was something I thought that this is the time I can go now.”

He concluded with a quick word about his bowling, stating, “Yeah, definitely I'm working really hard towards my bowling and yeah, the results are coming, but yes, it's a T20 game. You're going to hit, you'll get hit sometime, but you'll take wickets as well."