MUMBAI: In T20 cricket, contributions in clutch moments are often as important as the volume of runs or wickets. Over the past two years, Shivam Diop has repeatedly offered his services when India needed him most.Go beyond boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa, India were reduced to 106/4 and needed someone to support Virat Kohli and guide them to a competitive total. Rohit Sharma supported Dubey’s mood, sending him off ahead of Hardik Pandya. The left-hander responded with a crucial 16-ball 27 as he shared a 57-run fifth wicket stand with Kohli, helping India to 176/7.
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Last year, in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan, Dube was once again promoted, this time ahead of Rinku Singh, and once again rose to the occasion.
Coming in for India at 77/4, he stitched a 40-ball, 60-run partnership with Tilak Varma to guide India to a five-wicket victory, scoring 22 balls and 33 runs.The 32-year-old has continued to make timely contributions in this edition of the T20 World Cup and will look to do so again when India take on England in the semi-final on Thursday at home, the Wankhede Stadium.It was here that Dube first caught attention during the opening T20 Mumbai League, smashing five sixes in an over against Shivaji Park Lions.
He repeated the feat in the Ranji Trophy match against Baroda in 2018 and earned an IPL contract the following year.In this World Cup, Diop did not take an early lead against the United States and Namibia, but his hitting gained momentum as the tournament progressed. His 17-ball 27 against Pakistan and his fluent 31-ball 66 against the Netherlands were widely lauded, while a quick eight off four balls against the West Indies in the latter match helped secure India’s place in the semi-finals.The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder received praise after that match, with head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief captain Jasprit Bumrah highlighting the importance of his brief cameo.“For me, the two boundaries of Shivam are as important as the two boundaries of Sanju 97 because if he had not reached those two boundaries, this strike might not have been talked about,” Gambhir said. “Big contributions make headlines, but small contributions help the team go above and beyond.”Bumrah echoed this sentiment in a video posted by the ICC on Instagram. “The two fours that Diop hit – not many will appreciate that. But people who understand cricket know that those two boundaries took the pressure off,” he said.While Diop has been consistent with the bat, India would like more impact from him with the ball, where he has been expensive. Bowling coach
Morne Morkel
He believes it’s more about execution than form. “I don’t think it’s a loss on the bowl game,” Morkel said Wednesday.
“Shivam knows his game well. Sometimes the thinking behind the delivery is right, but the execution was not good.”Morkel added that improving on-ball decision-making will be key. “Teams will go after him, but it also creates opportunities to take wickets. If he can be a little smarter and execute better, it will make a big difference.”Early in his international career, Diop struggled against short-range pace but worked hard in the net to overcome this weakness. India will hope he can create a similar turnaround with the ball as well.