Chennai Super Kings opener Shivam Dube is enjoying a stellar season in IPL 2024. Currently the team’s second-highest run-scorer, Dube has dismissed comparisons to legendary Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh, emphasizing his focus on playing his own game.
Finding His Feet: Encouragement from Legends Fuels Dube’s Performance
Dube, a left-handed batsman known for his powerful hitting, has amassed 350 runs in just nine matches at an impressive average of 58.03 and a blistering strike rate of 172.41. He attributes his success in part to the guidance he’s received from Chennai Super Kings’ captain MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming.
“When I came to CSK, Mahi bhai [Dhoni] and Flemming told me to play my natural game,” Dube said in a video posted by the BCCI. “They never said to start hitting from ball one as it’s risky.” This vote of confidence and freedom to express himself have clearly paid dividends for the batsman.
Dube on Yuvraj Comparisons: Similar Style, Different Journey
While comparisons to Yuvraj Singh, another left-handed batsman known for his six-hitting prowess, are inevitable, Dube is keen to forge his own path. “I have never compared myself to Yuvraj Singh,” he clarifies. “I have a similar style of playing like him and people often say that I play like him.”
Dube acknowledges his admiration for Yuvraj, particularly his ability to accelerate later in the innings. “When I came to the Indian team, Ravi [Shastri] bhai said that you hit sixes just like Yuvraj Singh. I have seen him batting a lot. When he doesn’t score in the first 7 to 8 balls, he manages to cover it later in his innings,” he said.
Mental Preparation and Shot Selection: Keys to Dube’s Consistency
Dube has also emphasized the importance of mental preparation in his success. “I prepared myself mentally. I worked on what shot to play at which ball. It took time to apply this but later it happened eventually, so I think, I am set now,” he stated. This focus on shot selection, coupled with his natural power-hitting ability, is proving to be a winning formula for the CSK opener.
Dube also spoke about the recent T20I series against Afghanistan, where he was utilized in both batting and bowling roles. “When I played the T20I series against Afghanistan, Rohit bhai [Sharma] said that you will be doing both batting and bowling. So I was focusing on both as I have to express myself,” he concluded.
With the IPL season in full swing, Shivam Dube is a key player for the Chennai Super Kings. His powerful hitting and newfound consistency, fueled by a supportive team environment and his own focus, make him a force to be reckoned with. While comparisons may exist, Dube is clearly carving his own path in the world of cricket.
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