Shivam Dube Credits ‘Mentor’ MS Dhoni For White-Ball Success

Shivam Dube said MS Dhoni’s advice helped him overcome his weakness against short-pitched bowling after his match-winning knock against the Netherlands.

India all-rounder Shivam Dube delivered a match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash against the Netherlands in Ahmedabad. The left-hander smashed 66 off just 31 balls to guide India to 193/6 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

After being named Player of the Match, Dube credited former Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni for helping him improve against short-pitched bowling. Speaking after the game, Dube admitted that he once struggled against the short ball during his early IPL days. He said Dhoni’s advice helped him change his mindset and approach.

“There was a time when I came to IPL, I was struggling a bit against short balls, at that time I was not able to hit them so cleanly, but then I realized that if I have to dominate at this level and I have that power, then why should I lag because of one thing, so I worked a lot on that thing during the off season. Mahi bhai had told me that it is not necessary that you have to hit a six on that ball, you can hit a boundary or take a single, so that thing was always in my mind that when I come in at the start,” Dube said.

ALSO READ | Ben Stokes Suffers Eye Injury, Pledges to Never Bat Without Helmet Again

How Shivam Dube Lifted India’s Chances

India had opted to bat first, but lost Abhishek Sharma early for his third duck of the tournament. The Dutch bowlers, led by Aryan Dutt, kept the scoring tight in the powerplay.

Dube began cautiously, scoring just six runs off his first 11 balls and surviving a close lbw appeal. He then shifted gears by attacking the spinners and punishing predictable pace variations. He reached his half-century in just 25 balls, hitting four boundaries and six sixes.

Dube stitched a crucial 119-run partnership in the final 10 overs with Hardik Pandya, who scored 30 off 21 balls. India added 75 runs in the last five overs to post a strong total. Dube later picked up 2/35 with the ball as the Netherlands finished at 176/7, handing India a 17-run victory and extending their winning streak in the tournament.