File photo of Indian cricketer Shivam Dube. (PTI Photo) New Delhi: When the squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup was selected, the inclusion of Shivam Dube ahead of Rinku Singh raised eyebrows. Rohit Sharma, the captain at the time, criticized the Impact Player rule in the IPL, saying it was detrimental to the growth of all-rounders. And here Dube was chosen over Rinku for his bowling ability. When it came down to it, Dube fell short in India’s run to the World Cup title, but his contributions in the middle proved crucial. The all-rounder scored 31 against USA, 34 against Bangladesh, 28 against Australia and a vital 27 in the final against South Africa.The previous management used Dube as a backup to Hardik Pandya, but he has blossomed under Gautam Gambhir and created his own identity. He has grown by leaps and bounds in the last two years and is in the team for a specific role — to dismantle the spinners in the middle overs. Not only does he get the side through tricky phases with his six strokes, but also by chipping the ball.
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Aditya Tare, his former captain in Mumbai, likens him to a gladiator with a bat in his hands and someone who has the mentality of a monster.“Right from the start, one thing that really stood out was his willingness to win the game with both bat and ball. He wants to be in action. He has bowled at every stage in domestic cricket. He never hides from challenges and loves pressure situations,” Tare told TimesofIndia.com.CSK’s hand
File photo of Shivam Dube playing for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. (Photo-X/IPL)
Since joining Chennai Super Kings in 2022, Dube has been a revelation. Neither Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2019 nor Rajasthan Royals in 2020 and 2021 offered Shivam as long a run in the playing XI as he got with the five-time IPL champions.“Faith” is the word Tare used when asked about the secret sauce behind the successful resuscitation of Shivam’s short career.“Credit must go to CSK. They gave him a concrete plan and belief which helped him fight his way back into the Indian team. His determination is unmatched,” says Tare.Over four IPL seasons, Dube’s strike rates were 156.21, 158.33, 162.29 and 132.22. In IPL 2025, he struggled and his team suffered the most, finishing at the bottom of the points table.
Dhoni and Fleming have given him great support and clarity in his role. They made it clear how they wanted him to play
Rajesh Dube, Shivam’s father
Rajesh Dube, Shivam’s father and a wrestler in his youth, welcomes former CSK captain MS Dhoni and coach Stephen Fleming.“Dhoni and Fleming have given him a lot of support and clarity in his role. They have made it clear how they want him to play,” says Dube Sr.Dube Sr. he further shared that since roping in Shivam, CSK has indicated that he will be the right fit for them. “The belief in him has done wonders for his confidence, which we can see in his performances.”A chink in the armor
Shivam Dube’s 2026 T20 World Cup record.
Despite his six-hitting prowess, the vulnerability to short-game bowling was exposed in the opening game of IPL 2023 against Gujarat Titans, where Alzarri Joseph and Mohammed Shami tested him with a flurry of bouncers.“Yes, he has a problem with fast bowlers, but when it comes to spinners, he is a very clean batsman and he is a tall guy. He has a different reach compared to some other batsmen, so spinners have to adjust their length according to him,” MS Dhoni said then.But Shivam, whose high buoyancy has drawn comparisons to Yuvraj Singh, took it as a challenge and approached Pravin Amre, the man who first noticed him as a teenager during an Air India trial. Amre, who also worked with Shreyas Iyer – another batsman who initially struggled with short deliveries – explained the changes.
Shivam Dube during the T20I against New Zealand. (IANS)
“He used to be more on the side and fight balls to the ribs. We’ve been working on that. Now he’s got a more open stance, which has also opened up his toe and now you can see those monster sixes he’s hitting the pacers as well,” laughs Amre.“Shivam energy was never a problem. It was a few technicalities.”Amre remembers young Dube and what impressed him when he first saw the teenager. “I was with Air India and we noticed him very early. We saw the talent and that’s why we picked him and offered him a contract,” he says.“I was with Delhi Daredevils then and I brought him for trials. He wasn’t selected but it gave him confidence,” adds Amre.The method behind the madness
India’s Shivam Dube celebrates after scoring a fifty during the fourth T20 cricket match against New Zealand in Visakhapatnam. (AP)
Dube has smoked 46 sixes in his T20I career and smashed 100 for CSK in the last four seasons.“I saw him effortlessly hit back-foot shots through cover and aim at the seamers. That was enough to make me realize he is the best batsman. His height, reach and power make him special. Spinners are bowlable,” recalls Tare.“He’s got a solid base and plays in the V. You’ll see most of the sixes he hits are down the ground,” he says.If one goes through Shivam’s numbers or exaggerates his batting peaks over the last two years, the reason for his rise stands out. CSK is the reason the world knows him as a prolific six-hitter, followed by a clear role first provided by his IPL franchise and then leading the Indian team.However, there has been improvement for Dube with regular opportunities in top-flight cricket.
Shivam Dube in numbers.
“It’s just the hard work I’m doing. I’m improving my mindset because in those situations I’m playing those matches and batting. So I know what’s going to happen and what the bowler is likely to try against me,” Dube said at the post-match press conference in Visakhapatnam.While dismantling spinners remains his primary role in the middle overs, Dube believes his growing comfort against fast bowlers has added another dimension that allows him to put sustained pressure on the opposition.“I’ve been working really hard, but I’ve been given the opportunity to pitch and hit and do everything in the game. The experience is coming to me and it’s going in the right direction. The players are getting better all the time.”“All players, spinners, fast bowlers and teams are improving. I can’t be the same as I was. I’m trying to be a bit better and a bit smarter in the next game. I’ve learned what my strengths are and where I can target them.”
Shivam Dube plays a shot during the first T20I cricket match between India and New Zealand at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. (PTI)
Dube believes his improved comfort against fast bowlers will help him put more pressure on the opposition.“It’s really important. It’s about the match. They want me to hit the spinners. That’s my role to keep the strike rate high in the middle overs. That’s what I always try to do. It’s not just about the spinners, it’s also about the fast bowlers.”“I know my strength is in hitting the spinners. I can put pressure on the opposition at that point, so my thinking is very clear,” he said.Dube will be at home in Indian and Sri Lankan conditions. He’s worked on his weaknesses, but it’s his strengths that he’s taken to the next level. The broad shouldered offensive cricket ball has been given a free hand to take on the spinners and the value he offers in terms of strike rate and tactical edge gives India a decisive edge.
