Dhoni’s Advice Helped Shivam Dube Improve Against Short Balls
  • All-rounder Shivam Dube explained how MS Dhoni taught him to handle short-pitched bowling. He spoke about this in an interview with Parthiv Patel after India’s match against the Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
  • Dube explained that Dhoni taught him practical techniques through simple guidance. Dhoni told him that he did not need to hit every short ball for a six. He said that a four or single hit would work in many situations.

Early Struggles in the IPL

  • Dube said he faced problems against short-pitched deliveries when he first entered the IPL. He found it difficult to control those balls and struggled to score freely.
  • He later worked on this weakness during practice sessions. He concentrated on his shot selection and timing abilities. According to Dube, Dhoni’s guidance changed his mindset. He developed the ability to determine which shots to play based on the current match conditions.

Learning from Experience in the CSK Dressing Room

  • Shivam Dube has shared the Chennai Super Kings dressing room with MS Dhoni since 2022. During this period, he received regular advice from the senior player.
  • Dube highlighted that Dhoni’s message was clear. Players should not react aggressively to every pitch delivery. Batting under control typically results in superior batting outcomes.

Strong Performance Against the Netherlands

  • India defeated the Netherlands by 17 runs in their T20 World Cup 2026 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
  • Dube delivered an all-round performance in that game. He scored 66 runs from 31 balls which included four fours and six sixes. He came in at a crucial stage and increased the scoring rate.
  • He also contributed with the ball. He took 2 wickets for 35 runs in 3 overs. Due to this performance, he was named Player of the Match.