Shivam Dube: Definitely in my mind to play T20 World Cup, but it's far away

Team India all-rounder Shivam Dube has admitted that he is keen to be part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. He, however, added that he is not thinking too far ahead and that his focus is presently on the second T20I against Afghanistan.

Dube, 30, was the Player of the Match in India’s six-wicket win in the opening T20I of the three-match series in Mohali. He claimed 1/9 in two overs with his medium pace and then slammed 60* off 40 in a chase of 159.

Following the performance, some cricket pundits opined that he could be in reckoning for a place in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad. Asked about his World Cup hopes, Dube said at a press conference, as quoted by PTI:

"Any player playing in the team aims to play in the World Cup. It's definitely in my mind to play the World Cup, but it's far away."

“Right now, I am aiming to play tomorrow's game and take it on a match-by-match basis,” he went on to add.

With the ongoing home series against Afghanistan being India’s last T20I assignment before the World Cup, Dube admitted that the Indian Premier League (IPL) will be extremely crucial in preparations for the ICC event.

"It (IPL) would be equally important for all of us, as there are only two T20Is remaining. IPL is a big platform, and if you fare well in it, you get the chance to make it to the (national) team," Dube told reporters ahead of the second T20I against Afghanistan here,” the all-rounder said.

"There is a team planning and combination in place. The more we play T20s, the more we get to understand it better,” he stated.

The T20 World Cup will be played in the West Indies and the United States from June 1 to June 29.

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“I have practiced and processed to be better both physically and mentally” - Shivam Dube

In the first T20I, India were in a spot of bother at 28/2 in a chase of 159. Dube, however, looked calm and guided the Men in Blue home with an unbeaten half-century.

Admitting that he has worked hard on both the mental and physical aspects of his game, the left-hander said:

"It's difficult when things don't go your way, and you don't think about things you cannot do at that time. So, I thought about what I have done in the past would be better. I have practiced and processed to be better both physically and mentally, besides working on my skills.”

Dube struck five fours and two sixes in his impressive knock as India got home in 17.3 overs in Mohali.