Big-hitting Dube looms as India's wildcard at T20 World Cup

India all-rounder Shivam Dube has admitted he is clear in his role at the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup as the big-hitter showed his prowess with a quickfire half-century during his side's loss to New Zealand in Vizag on Wednesday.

Dube smashed a 15-ball half-century - the third quickest by an India men's player in T20I - coming in at No.6 against the Black Caps in a eye-catching display on the eve of the T20 World Cup, with the 32-year-old revealing post-match that he knows what is expected from him at the 20-over showcase.

"I am getting better with my mindset because I am playing all these matches now," Dube said after his knock of 65.

"I am batting in those situations, so all those things I know that now what's going to happen, what are the main things which bowler is going come to me, that's the key point for my batting and bowling as well.

"I am trying to develop some more skills too. There is one thing when you work really hard behind in the nets, but there is something which you have to apply in the match.

"There is something called experience, so that has come to me and that is going in the right direction."

Dube's big-hitting was the main highlight for India in their 50-run loss to New Zealand, with skipper Suryarkumar Yadav admitting post-match that selection for the contest was made with one eye on the T20 World Cup that commences on February 7.

“We purposely played six batters today,” Suryakumar said.

“We wanted five proper bowlers and to challenge ourselves. For example, if we’re chasing 180 or 200 and we’re two or three down, we wanted to see how it looks.

“But it’s fine at the end of the day. We also wanted to give game time to all the players who are part of the World Cup squad. Otherwise, we would have gone with different combinations.”

The victory was New Zealand's first of the series against India and skipper Mitchell Santner believes the matches are providing his side the perfect preparation for the T20 World Cup.

"There's no better prep than playing India in India for a World Cup," Santner said after collecting a three-wicket haul.

"So we've got a couple of guys back for the next game, which is nice. But again, it's about getting our plans right, getting the roles sorted for what we've got coming up in the Cup."

The fifth and final match of the T20I series between India and New Zealand will be held in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday.