Rohit bhai said I am there to back you: Shivam Dube credits captain for Nagpur heroics

Shivam Dube, who was playing his first international series, credited stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma for backing him in crucial situations during the Nagpur T20I.

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Rohit bhai said I am there to back you: Shivam Dube credits captain for Nagpur heroics
Shivam Dube played a game-changing role with the ball in Nagpur win. (AP Photo)

In Short

  • Shivam Dube credited stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma for backing him in crucial situations
  • Shivam Dube thanked Ravi Shastri and support staff for relaxing him
  • Shivam Dube picked up three crucial wickets in the middle-overs of 3rd T20I

Swashbuckling Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube, who picked up three crucial wickets in the middle-overs of 3rd T20I, thanked Ravi Shastri and support staff for relaxing him and not letting him feel the intense pressure of playing for India.

Shivam Dube, who was playing only his 3rd T20I and is known for his batting more than bowling, stepped up in sensational fashion to back Rohit Sharma's gamble as India completed the turnaround (in the series and on the night) to clinch the series 2-1.

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Shivam Dube was rewarded for his consistent performances for India A this year and for Mumbai in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as he earned his maiden T20I call-up in the Indian side for the series against Bangladesh.

"I will call it as the pressure of playing for India. But the support staff made me relax and ensured that I don't feel that pressure. I'm thankful to them. They backed me, Ravi (Shastri) came and said don't take tension, just play your game. He told me that in a T20 game, sabko padti hai (everyone gets hit). When it's your day, you will do well but the important thing is how to overcome when it's not your day. They told me, 'We are there for you," ," Shivam Dube told Indian Express.

Dube, who had conceded 23 runs in his first two overs, returned to remove the dangerous Mushfiqur Rahiim for a duck in his third over to kick-start India's turnaround. And then the India all-rounder produced arguably the delivery of the match to clean up Mohammad Naim (81), who was playing the knock of his career, to diminish Bangladesh's glimmer of hope.

On being asked what did Rohit Sharma tell him before the match, Dube said: "(Before the series,) Rohit bhai had told me to be ready to bowl all four overs in one of the coming games. So mentally I was ready. Rohit bhai came and said, bindaas daal, kuchh soch mat (Don’t overthink, bowl freely), I’m there to back you. Just bowl to your strength."

"The series has gone well, this time I did well with my bowling, and next I am hoping to do well with the bat," added Dube.

Although the young India all-rounder produced a match-winning performance with the ball, he was not exactly satisfied with his performance and he will try to improve with every game.

"I'm happy that we won the series, but I am not satisfied because I feel my performance could have been better. It's a learning process, every game I have tried to do better from the last."