Xtra time Webdesk:Shivam Dube,the Mumbai allrounder scored a staggering hundred in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy match against Uttar Pradesh at the Wankhede stadium.The dashing left-handed batter accumulated 117 runs off just 130 balls for Mumbai in the second innings.Dube also picked up 3 important wickets in the 1st innings.Dube piled up a crucial 7th wicket partnership with Shams Mulani(63 off 159)of 173 runs when Mumbai was 86-6 at one stage.Dube’s fighting ton helped the home team to give a competitive 4th innings target to UP.
Although Mumbai lost the game by 2 wickets,Dube was highly praised in the media for his swashbuckling innings.Shivam Dube’s career graph has witnessed a high rise since he moved to CSK.The Chennai franchise picked the all rounder in the 2022 IPL auction.The CSK team management backed Dube right from the beginning.Dube revealed in several interviews that the architect behind his success is none other than Ms Dhoni.
The Chennai Super Kings skipper identified Dube’s hard-hitting ability.Dhoni gave him so much confidence over the last couple of IPL seasons.Infact, Shivam Dube’s batting stats with RCB & RR from 2019 to 2022 is contrasting to that with CSK since 2022.
Dube hit 35 sixes in IPL 2023.His batting strike rate in the previous two editions of the IPL is respectively 156.22 and 159.92 with CSK,far better than his IPL career strike rate of 142.17.
Interestingly,Dube’s average strike rate from 2019 to 2021 was a mere 121.07 with only one half century to his name.
Playing for CSK,Dube has scored five 50s in the last couple of seasons.Ms Dhoni uses him quite smartly in the middle order.
Dube mentioned in an interview that Dhoni told him to be ready to bat in the middle overs at any position between over 6 to 20.
Dube generally bats at no.4 & no.5 for CSK.
His power hitting against the spinners makes him special.Dhoni uses Dube to manage the runrate as well as left hand-right hand combination in the middle overs.Dube is often given the licence to express himself at the crease.He targets the spinners to begin with a positive intent.In 2023,Dube has demolished the fast bowlers too,batting till the death overs.Dube is known for hitting long sixes courtesy his high backlift and muscular biceps.Dube’s contribution to CSK’s 5th IPL title victory was an integral one.He hit two much needed consecutive sixes of Rashid Khan’s bowling in the final when the game was evenly poised.
Dube was awarded the Man of the Series in the recently finished T20 international series against Afghanistan.Making a comeback to the Indian team after 4 years,Shivam Dube scored back to back match winning 50s in the series.Rohit Sharma,the Indian captain was very impressed with Dube’s performance in the middle order.Dube is definitely in consideration for the T20 World Cup squad.The kind of form he’s in at the moment,he can push the selectors if he manages to perform well in the upcoming IPL.