‘It felt like playing in Ranji Trophy’: Shivam Dube on poor batting conditions in New York

Shivam Dube talked about his poor form and said that the conditions in New York require a different batting approach.

Shivam Dube talked about New York pitch conditions. (Photo-Getty)

New Delhi: Team India defeated the USA by 7 wickets and played their last match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The Men in Blue won all the three matches they played in New York Stadium. Batters struggled to perform on the Nassau County pitch as it provided great assistance to the pacers.

Indian batters also struggled to perform on this pitch. Shivam Dube who only managed to score 34 runs in the three matches said that he was struggling with his form and focusing on the process. He also said that the support staff and coaches backed him.

“I was struggling with my form and focusing on my process. But here, there was no pressure. All the support staff and coaches backed me and told me, ‘It’s difficult, but you have the ability to hit sixes, so apply it”.

He also said that the conditions at the New York stadium do not demand what he used to do for CSK in the IPL and the conditions require a different approach. Dube also admitted that it’s not easy to hit sixes in New York stadium from ball one and batters need to take their time.

“These conditions require a different approach, so I was batting differently today. It felt like (playing) Ranji Trophy. I don’t think in white ball”. Dube said jokingly about his wait for a six.

The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 31 runs off 35 balls against the USA with one boundary and one maximum. He stitched a crucial 72-run partnership with Suryakumar Yadav and took the team over the line in a tricky run-chase. After the win against the USA, the Men in Blue qualified for the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup.

‘Playing cricket here wasn’t easy’: Rohit Sharma

Indian captain Rohit Sharma also talked about the New York pitch and said that playing in Nassau County wasn’t easy and his team will take a lot of confidence from these wins “It is a big relief, playing cricket here wasn’t easy. We had to stick through till the end in all 3 games. Will take a lot of confidence from these wins”.