Not every transformation in cricket comes from hours in the nets. Sometimes, it takes just a few calm words from the right person. For India’s star all-rounder Shivam Dube, that person was his Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni.
Early in his career, Shivam Dube struggled against short-pitched deliveries. Bowlers often targeted him with bouncers and he found it difficult to connect them cleanly. During his initial years in the IPL, this weakness became quite evident. Shivam Dube admitted that at one point, he felt the only way to deal with such deliveries was to smash them for sixes. Like many aggressive batters, he believed domination meant clearing the boundary.
But things began to change after a conversation with MS Dhoni. Speaking after a match, Shivam Dube shared that Dhoni advised him to think differently. Instead of trying to hit every short ball for a six, he was told that even a boundary or a single was good enough. The message was simple – there was no need to prove a point with every delivery.
That advice stayed with Shivam Dube. He worked hard during the off-season to improve his game against the short ball. More importantly, he changed his mindset. Rather than forcing big shots, he focused on playing smart cricket and building innings.
Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni have shared the Chennai Super Kings dressing room since 2022, building a strong bond over the years. While Dhoni’s legendary career may be nearing its final phase, Shivam Dube is continuing to rise as one of India’s key all-rounders and he credits a big part of that growth to Dhoni’s simple yet powerful guidance.
MS Dhoni is indeed Thala for a reason!
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