Shivam Dube reveals how Rohit Sharma inspired him to ‘player of the match’ performance in 1st IND vs AFG T20I

India’s Shivam Dube came up with a terrific all-round performance to earn a vital win for his side in the T20I series opener against Afghanistan on Thursday. Dube scripted impressive figures of 1/9 in two overs. Later, Dube produced a fine knock of an unbeaten 60 off 40 balls to guide India to a resounding victory against Afghanistan at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Following his superb performance, Dube revealed how skipper Rohit Sharma motivated him ahead of the game.

“He [Rohit] told me only one thing that keep playing this way, be positive in your game. We know you can score from anywhere and you can win us the game from anywhere. Toh ye cheez thi, unhone bola ki aise hi khelte rehna, positive khelte rehna, [So that was it, he told me to keep playing like this, stay positive],” Dube recalled after the completion of the T20I series opener between India and Afghanistan last night.

A video of Dube’s post-match conversation was shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. “Acing the chase. Conversations with Captain Rohit Sharma. Message for a special bunch. Hear from the all-rounder & player of the match of the IND vs AFG T20I opener Shivam Dube,” read the post shared by the BCCI.

Acing the chase 😎
Conversations with Captain @ImRo45 👌
Message for a special bunch 🤗

Hear from the all-rounder & Player of the Match of the #INDvAFG T20I opener – @IamShivamDube 👌👌 – By @ameyatilak

WATCH 🎥🔽 #TeamIndia | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/edEH8H3O5f

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 12, 2024

Batting first, Afghanistan had posted a formidable total of 158/5. Mohammad Nabi emerged as the highest scorer for the visitors having produced a solid knock of 42 off 27 balls. Mukesh Kumar and Washington Sundar picked up two wickets each for India.

India did not have a promising start to their run chase having lost skipper Rohit on the second delivery of the innings. It was Dube who, eventually, rescued India and guided his side to a six-wicket triumph. Dube’s power-packed knock comprised five boundaries and two sixes. India scored the winning runs with 15 balls to spare.

The penultimate T20I between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to be played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 14.

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