NEW DELHI: On Wednesday, Shivam Dube didn’t just dismantle New Zealand’s bowling attack — he delivered a statement about his evolution as a T20 cricketer ahead of the much-awaited T20 World Cup at home. The India all-rounder’s explosive 65 off 23 balls was powered as much by a sharpened mindset as brute force, with Dube declaring he has become a “smarter” player thanks to regular opportunities at the highest level.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!While his brutal 29-run over against leg-spinner Ish Sodhi stole the headlines, Dube quietly underlined another key upgrade in his game — comfort against pace. Three towering sixes off Jacob Duffy and Matt Henry made it clear that bowling fast is no longer a safe option against him.

“It’s just the hard work which I’m doing. I’m getting better with my mindset because I’m playing all those matches and batting in that situation,” Dube said after the match. “So, I know what’s going to happen, what are the main things which a bowler is going to come to me.”Dube credited consistent game time for helping him read situations better and prepare for different challenges. He also pointed to the added responsibility with the ball as a factor in his growth, even though he didn’t bowl in this match.

“That’s the key point for my batting and bowling as well. I’m bowling thanks to Gauti bhai and Surya bhai. They have given me the bowling opportunity,” he said. “So, when you bowl, you become a little smart. I’m working on that as well and trying to develop some more skills.”The left-hander admitted that experience has transformed his approach over the past few months. “There is something called experience and that has come to me and that is going in the right direction,” Dube said. “All the players upgrade themselves… I can’t be the same as I was. I try to be a little better, a little smarter in the next game.”Dube’s 15-ball half-century — the third fastest in T20I history — came without chasing milestones. “I was focusing on every ball. I was not thinking about getting a fifty in 15 balls,” he said.Explaining the Sodhi assault, Dube revealed a ruthless clarity. “I knew that even he is a little scared, he was going to bowl me the bad ball. I was ready for that. So I wanted to dominate — and that is what I did.”