Shivam Dube: Explosive Indian Cricketer Making Waves in IPL and International Cricket

Shivam Dube is a tall pace-bowling allrounder from the suburbs of Mumbai, known for his explosive batting. He made a name for himself in domestic cricket and the IPL with his remarkable ability to hit sixes, especially against spin bowling. Dube’s journey from the local school cricket circuit to the national and IPL stages has been nothing short of remarkable.

Rise in Domestic Cricket

Shivam Dube’s career took off with his impressive performances in domestic cricket. He started as a lower-order batsman, hitting boundaries and picking wickets. His standout moment came during his Ranji Trophy debut when he took a five-for against Karnataka, along with a brisk 71 down the order. Dube’s abilities as both a bowler and a batsman quickly made him a player to watch.

The IPL Breakthrough

In 2018, Dube caught everyone’s attention with an incredible feat during a Mumbai T20 League game. He smashed five sixes in an over off Pravin Tambe. He repeated the same feat in a Ranji match just a day before the IPL auction in December 2018. His stellar performances earned him a Rs 5 crore deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the 2019 season.

Challenges with RCB and the Switch to Rajasthan Royals

Although Dube’s potential was clear, he couldn’t fully capitalize on it during his time with RCB. After two seasons with little success, he moved to Rajasthan Royals in 2020. Despite his IPL form not being as expected, Dube impressed for India A across formats, especially in tough situations. His performances earned him a spot in India’s T20I squad when Hardik Pandya was unavailable.

Transformation at Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

Shivam Dube’s fortunes changed dramatically when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bought him at the 2022 IPL mega auction for Rs 4 crore. CSK groomed him as a six-hitting specialist in the middle overs, particularly targeting spinners. Dube’s performance in his first season with CSK was exceptional. He scored 289 runs with a strike rate of 156.21. In 2023, he improved even further, hitting 418 runs at a strike rate of 158.33, followed by 396 runs in 2024 at 162.30.

IPL Success and T20 World Cup

His consistent performances with CSK earned him a spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. While he didn’t perform at his best during the tournament, he was still part of India’s victorious campaign. Dube’s powerful hitting was key in several matches, especially in the middle overs.

Shivam Dube’s Impact in Red-Ball Cricket

Beyond his success in limited-overs formats, Dube also excelled in red-ball cricket in 2024. He scored two attacking centuries and averaged nearly 68 in Mumbai’s title-winning Ranji campaign. His performances in both formats have firmly established him as one of India’s most promising allrounders.

Shivam Dube IPL Factfile

• IPL Debut: 2019, bought by RCB for INR 5 crore
• Teams Played For: RCB (2019-2020), Rajasthan Royals (2020), Chennai Super Kings (2022-2024)
• Best IPL Season: 2022 – 289 runs at a strike rate of 156.21
• Notable IPL Stats: 418 runs in 2023 at a strike rate of 158.33, 396 runs in 2024 at 162.30

Conclusion

Shivam Dube has transformed into a powerhouse in Indian cricket, known for his explosive batting and aggressive approach. His rise from domestic cricket to IPL stardom and international recognition has been inspiring. As Dube continues to make strides in both formats, he is set to be a key player for India’s future success.