Shivam Dube is occasionally compared with Hardik Pandya as a seam bowling all-rounder, but the Mumbai all-rounder emphasized that there is no rivalry.
“Hardik is like a brother from whom I tend to learn a lot as he has way more experience both in IPL and international cricket compared to me. Comparison, I never thought of, as my only endeavour is to learn as much as I can from his vast experience,” Dube told mediapersons after India’s nine-wicket victory against the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.
The IPL’s “Impact Player” may have limited Shivam Dube’s role for the Chennai Super Kings, but with the support of head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel, “India’s Shivam Dube” hopes to become a full-fledged all-rounder.
After taking 3-4 in two overs in India’s Asia Cup opening match, Dube discussed the kind of contribution Morkel made to his development as a seam bowler.
“Morne has been working with me since I came back into the Indian team for the England series. He has given me certain specific advice and I worked on them,” Dube said.
“He told me to bowl a line that is slightly outside the off-stump. He also worked with me in developing a slower delivery and tweaked my run-up a bit. The head coach and the skipper had told me that my bowling will have a role to play.”
Dube, who doesn’t play in the other two international forms, had two months off after the IPL to focus heavily on improving his fitness and all-around game.
“For the last two months, I have worked a great deal on my fitness. As far as my batting is concerned, I know I have a role to play (as a power-hitter) in the middle overs. I know over the years, bowlers targetted me with short balls and I have worked on increasing my range of shots. As the tournament progresses, wicket will get slower and I know my slower (ball) will be effective and I also know how to bat in middle overs,” he said.
When asked whether UAE batters struggled to pick Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy from the hand, Dube said, “I won’t be able to tell that but also I can’t be saying that about opposition team. It doesn’t look good. All I can say is that mystery bowlers are very difficult to pick. Even I fail to pick Varun and Kuldeep while batting against them in the nets.”
Dube attempted to downplay the excitement surrounding the forthcoming Pakistan match when asked about it.
“Whether I’m playing against the UAE or Pakistan, I try to follow what my coach Gauti bhai (Gambhir) tells me. When you play for India, you have got a chance to do some great things for the country.”
