Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 8: Young all-rounder Shivam Dube made most of the opportunity he was given after being promoted at number three as he slammed a quickfire maiden fifty in the second Twenty20 international against West Indies here on Sunday (December 8).
Playing just his fourth T20I, the 26-year-old all-rounder showed why he's held in such high regards in the domestic circuit for his big-hitting prowess. The youngster notched up his fifty off just 27 deliveries and entertained the audience at the Greenfield stadium.
Walking into the middle in the fourth over, Dube hit his first maximum in the seventh over. But the youngster announced his arrival at the big stage in the ninth over when the southpaw hammered West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard for three huge maximums and milked 26 runs from that over.
He brought up his fifty in the next over with a single and got a huge cheer from the crowd. Such was the ferocity of his innings that captain Virat Kohli was playing just the second-fiddle to the left-handed batsman.
However, Dube couldn't stretch his innings for long as he was dismissed for 54 by Hayden Walsh Junior. Having been put down in the deep on the previous delivery he looked to clear the bowler for another biggie but failed to get the elevation and was caught by Shimron Hetmyer.
By the time he was dismissed he had hit three boundaries and four maximums in his 30-ball stay at the crease.
The youngster was lauded for his fine innings and here's how the experts and fans appreciated his knock. The experts also hailed the Indian skipper for his masterstroke.
Delight to see this move. This is captaincy and planning. Credit to @imVkohli and the team management. Shivam Dube made the most of it. This is how careers change.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) December 8, 2019
Maiden 5️⃣0️⃣ for @IamShivamDube in T20 Internationals! A chance was presented to him and he grabbed it in style! #PlayBold
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) December 8, 2019
Shivam Dube's 50+ scores in limited over games this year:
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) December 8, 2019
79* (60), 6 sixes, SR 131.66,
118 (67), 10 sixes, SR 176.11
54 (30), 4 sixes, SR 180.00
First 2 were in List-A games. #IndvWI
Well played Shivam Dubey 👏👏Turns out to be masterstroke to promote him to no.3
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 8, 2019
Cricket: Shivam Dube hit 3 Consecutive sixes in Kieron Pollard over.#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/pgJB9OBRyE
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) December 8, 2019
Sometimes it needs one hit to get going. Holder gave Dube a short one and he has teed off since. Was 12(14), then 35 off the next 10
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 8, 2019
Just Dube it! #WhistlePodu #INDvWI 🦁💛 pic.twitter.com/PiBFSP0w03
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) December 8, 2019
FIFTY!@IamShivamDube got promoted to No.3 in the batting order and he makes it count. He brings up his maiden T20I half-century off 27 deliveries 👏🙌#INDvWI @Paytm pic.twitter.com/Ul2P18973n
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2019