‘First 2-3 balls, I feel a bit of pressure….’ – Shivam Dube opens up after India’s win in 1st T20I vs Afghanistan

Team India won the first T20I game against Afghanistan by six wickets in Mohali and took the lead by 1-0 in the three matches of the T20I series. Notably, this series is the last and final preparation for the T20 World Cup 2024, which will start on June 1 in the West Indies and the USA. Moreover, the Men in Blue will be looking to whitewash the series to boost their preparation during the marquee event.

Speaking of the game, it was Indian captain Rohit Sharma who won the toss and invited the visiting side to bat first. Notably, after being put to bat first, the Afghanistan side posted 158/5 as few batters, with the likes of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zardan, Omarzai, and Mohammad Nabi playing solid innings to post a decent total against India.

However, during the chase, Team India had an awful start as the skipper Rohit Sharma departed on a duck. Meanwhile, it was CSK star Shivam Dube who remained unbeaten with his 60 runs knock from 40 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes, which helped Team India chase down the total with 15 balls to spare.

I got the opportunity and I executed what I needed: Shivam Dube

Meanwhile, Shivam Dube has opened up about his tactical and pragmatic skills, which helped him chase the total. The CSK star cricketer revealed that he was under pressure initially, but he took time to settle down to make sure Team India won their opening game of the series.

‘It was really cold. I enjoyed playing on this ground. Playing after a long time and batting at number four, there was some pressure on me. I had one thing in my mind that I have to play my game. First 2-3 balls, I feel a bit of pressure, after that, I just focus on the ball and I don’t think much about what’s going on. In T20s, I know what I bat, and I know I can hit big sixes, so I can generate runs any time. Bowling, today I got the opportunity and I executed what I needed,” Shivam Dube said in the post-match presentation.