Shivam Dube’s remarkable performances in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) and the subsequent Deodhar Trophy have earned him a spot back in the Indian squad. His explosive form has been instrumental in his selection for the upcoming tour of Ireland and the Asian Games.
Throughout the IPL season, Shivam Dube’s primary role for the Chennai Super Kings was as a finisher, relying on his power-hitting abilities rather than his bowling skills. The 30-year-old proved to be highly effective in this role, scoring 418 runs in 16 matches at an impressive strike rate of 158.33. His stellar contributions played a crucial part in CSK’s successful run to clinch their fifth title.
Dube’s exceptional form extended into domestic cricket as well, where he played a pivotal innings of an unbeaten 83 off 78 balls for West Zone against North Zone in the Deodhar Trophy. His innings included five sixes and three fours, guiding his team to victory. He credited his improved performance to MS Dhoni, the talismanic captain of CSK, who played a significant role in upgrading his game.
Shivam Dube said
“I cannot express all the things (that Dhoni helped me with),” Dube said in a video uploaded on the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) website. “I have upgraded my game. I got to know how to finish the game, how to be in the situation, how to tackle the bowlers, that all things are more important and many things are there but cannot express all the things.”But, I definitely got some big tips.
He told me to play till the end and try to finish the game. You can win many matches from your batting, so keep believing in yourself,” Dube said.
“Mahi bhai gave me clarity of thought. He told me what my role is. It was simple ‘tujhe jaake team ka run rate badhana hai. (You have to increase the run rate). Even if I get out early no problem but try to complete the task given. The brief was clear,” Dube told The Indian Express.
During the IPL final, Shivam Dube played a crucial role, remaining unbeaten with a 32-run knock off 21 balls. In an extraordinary chase against Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings needed 13 runs to win off the last over to reach a revised target of 171 due to rain delays that pushed the match into a reserve day.
With just 10 runs needed off the last two balls, Ravindra Jadeja produced a stunning finish by smashing a six and a four off the second last and last ball, respectively. CSK’s sensational victory in the final secured their fifth IPL title, tying them with Mumbai Indians as the joint-most successful team in the league’s history.
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