Shivam Dube thrives as a bowler free from IPL limitations, says ‘I am always prepared’ after victory over UAE.
‘I am always prepared’ – free of IPL shackles, Shivam Dube the bowler makes an impact.
The Impact Player regulation, which has restricted all-rounders’ chances to demonstrate their dual skills, has cost Shivam Dube. Dube’s bowling stats over the last three seasons are 3-0-47-1.
This restriction has, in a sense, contributed to Dube’s desire to use the ball and keep improving his skill sets. In light of this, his training efforts have been evident, particularly in his bowling.
India didn’t have to give the ball to Dube on Wednesday. Suryakumar Yadav did, and in two overs, Dube claimed three wickets. A slower delivery had Junaid Siddique slogging to mid-on, a seam-up sneaked away to snip off Asif Khan, and a nip-backer trapped Dhruv Parashar.
Shivam Dube speaks on his bowling
“The captain and the coach told me earlier itself that I will bowl [at the Asia Cup] and that they are confident about me,” Dube said at the press conference after India’s demolition of UAE. “My bowling coach [Morne Morkel] has told me a lot of things. I was preparing for this for a long time, that I will get an opportunity to bowl and when it comes, I’ll be ready. What happened today is because of that preparation.”
Although he has mostly played the position of a power batter for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, Dube acknowledged that he has taken advantage of the time off to accrue a significant amount of bowling mileage. even though he doesn’t immediately bowl as many overs as he would like to.
“The answer lies in your question itself,” Dube said when asked about the Impact Player rule. “The scheme of an allrounder has been reduced. Because of that, in the IPL, there wasn’t a necessity for me to bowl. But, from my side, I was always prepared. Every match, I was ready to bowl. I was working really hard before the IPL also. I spent two months working on my fitness and bowling.”
Morkel credited for improvement
Dube credited Morkel for fine-tuning his action and approach. During training, the two had been in each other’s ears all the time. Morkel had even mentioned two days prior how crucial it is for someone with Dube’s level of skill to prepare in a way that provides him the self-assurance to bowl under duress.
“At the England series [in January-February], he told me a few things,” Dube said. “He told me to bowl from outside [wider of the crease] and to bowl slower [from a certain angle]. I have been working on that for a long time. He told me a few things about my bowling run-up too. Because of those two-three things, my bowling is getting better. My pace is also improving and I am getting confidence.
“Today’s start was very important. As an allrounder, I am always prepared for four overs of bowling. Whenever I get an opportunity to bowl three-four overs, I am ready for it. I will try and do what the team needs.”