Part of Indian Premier League auctions thrice, all-rounder Shivam Dube has underwent pay cuts twice. While a large majority of cricketers would’ve been unhappy because of the same, it wasn’t the case with the 30-year old player after Chennai Super Kings bought him with a decrement of INR 40 lakh during IPL 2022 mega auction.
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First sold to Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 5 crore during IPL 2019 auction, Dube was retained by the franchise for the subsequent season despite getting just four games in his maiden IPL season. Back at the auction table before IPL 2021, Rajasthan Royals acquired his services for INR 4.4 crore.
However, unlike Royal Challengers, Royals decided against retaining him ahead of a mega auction. Dube, who has been earning INR 4 crore as IPL salary in his last two seasons, remained elated for getting a golden chance to play under his “hero” MS Dhoni.
Shivam Dube Was Elated To Represent CSK Under ‘Hero’ MS Dhoni
Not because of monetary reasons but IPL 2022 auction was a dream-come-true moment in Dube’s life. Having made his debut for India nearly four months after Dhoni played his last match for India, Dube never really got to represent the country alongside his idol.
However, the legendary captain defying numerous age-related notions to continue playing in the biggest T20 tournament in the world allowed Dube to first rub shoulders with him and then play under him. Speaking to The Times of India after the auction last year, an excited Dube looked forward to experiencing assurance and security at Chennai.
“My dream to play under my hero, Dhoni will come true now. I’ve seen that those who play under him feel that they can perform better and feel secure about their spot in the team. I want to know what it is about him that makes the players feel that way. I’m very excited.”
17 Months After CSK Debut, Shivam Dube Had Accomplished India Goal
“I will try to come back into the Indian team by doing well for CSK,” Dube had said after the aforementioned quote.
It took Dube 17 months after playing his first match for Super Kings to play at the highest level after three and a half years. Part of India’s Asian Games 2023 squad, Dube participated in a couple of T20Is in Ireland earlier this month. Thus, becoming one of many players who miraculously qualified to play for the nation post plying his trade in the IPL under Dhoni’s leadership.
For the unversed, CSK had a training camp in Surat ahead of IPL 2022 where Dube was seen taking lessons from Dhoni. Dube proved his batting powers in just his second match for the franchise where he scored 49 (30) against Lucknow Super Giants. However, in the very same match, he leaked 25 runs in the 19th over in a losing cause.
Dube also scored a half-century in the very next match against Punjab Kings, but he saved his best for his first IPL side. The left-handed batter smashed 95* (46) against RCB in a match-winning 165-run partnership alongside batter Robin Uthappa. Compared to former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh due to similar shots, Dube considered him to be his role model.
Dube scored a total of 289 runs at a strike rate of 156.22 that season. Even though he wasn’t as much consistent as he would’ve liked to be, his hitting ability impressed one and all. Retained by Chennai for the next season, he registered a career-best IPL season with the bat in hand earlier this year.
With Super Kings using Dube as a specialist batter (including Impact Sub in a few matches) in IPL 2023, he scored 411 runs at a strike rate of 159.92. In one of the matches against Bangalore, he thwacked a massive 111-metre six at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Even in the final, he played a vital role in sealing a run-chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
