Former Indian batting coach Abhishek Nayar has lavished praise on Shivam Dube’s bowling performance in the T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands. Dube returned with figures of 2-35 in three overs he bowled.
The medium pacer accounted for dangerous Bas de Leede and Zach Lion-Cachet. On the other hand, Shivam Dube also delivered with the bat, scoring a majestic knock of 66 runs off just 31 balls with the help of four fours and six sixes.
Dube scored his runs at a whirlwind strike rate of 212.90 and delivered for the hosts after they were 69-3.
“Not only in the World Cup, but in the last one year, he has delivered whenever he has been challenged, whether it’s with the ball or the bat. He has even bowled with the new ball for India. He has worked very hard. He has reduced his weight and increased his strength. He has increased his muscle mass,” Abhishek Nayar said on JioHotstar.
Nayar has noted that Dube’s pace has also increased and he was bowling around 130-131 kmph against the Dutch.
“His bowling pace has also increased. He was bowling at 130-131 kph today (Wednesday). That is the all-rounder’s speed. Every Netherlands fast bowler was bowling at that speed. I believe whatever challenge Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir have given to him, he has lived up to every challenge thus far,” he added.
The former Indian batter said it is very hard for the bowling team to put the brakes on Dube once he gets going.
“He had scored only two runs off the first nine balls. After that, he rotated the strike. He is a player like that. Once his bat starts striking the ball, it’s very difficult to stop him. He has power for sure, but he has his areas as well – midwicket, long-on, deep cover, and we haven’t seen his sweep shot yet,” he replied.
The KKR head coach praised Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube for adding the finishing touches, stating the latter scored at a brisk pace to take off the pressure of the former.
“He is scoring runs against both spin and pace. The form with which he is playing is a luxury for you. At one stage, Hardik Pandya was also behind him. Dube was hitting sixes and releasing the pressure. As Suryakumar Yadav said, it’s a luxury to have all-rounders like Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya, who can turn the game anytime, in the team,” Nayar observed.
India will take on South Africa in their opening game of the Super 8 stage at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.
