Shivam Dube's impressive half-century only days before the selection announcement has strengthened his argument for a spot in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. Dube, who has been playing brilliantly in the 2024 Indian Premier League, hammered his third half-century of the year, this time targeting the bowlers of the Lucknow Super Giants.
After joining CSK in 2022, Dube made amends in the IPL, and he has since established himself as a crucial member of the club that has won the championship five times. At Chepauk Stadium, the left-handed batsman put an end to the LSG bowling assault with his blow, as CSK amassed a commanding 210/4 in just 20 overs.
The 30-year-old electrified the Chepauk crowd on Tuesday night by scoring 66 runs off only 27 balls while launching seven sixes. While the LSG bowlers appeared to be at a loss as to how to bowl him, he also gathered three boundaries. He and Ruturaj Gaikwad shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 104 runs.
On the fifth ball of the thirteenth over, Dube struck the first six of the game, and he didn't stop there. Dube hit young Yash Thakur for a hat-trick of sixes in the sixteenth over.
On the fourth ball of the last over, he reached his half-century and did it in style, hitting a six straight down the ground to wow the famous Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was waiting for his turn to enter the dressing room. It took him 22 balls to reach his third season fifty.
The cricket community praised Dube for his outstanding performance, which completely outclassed the LSG bowlers.
BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar was encouraged by former CSK player Suresh Raina to include Dube in the team for the T20 World Cup.
'World Cup loading for Shivam dube ! @imAagarkar bhai select karo please,' Raina wrote on X.
Dube was also praised by Irfan Pathan, who described him as the finest striker of the ball in Indian cricket right now.
'Is there any one striking better than @IamShivamDube in the Indian cricket at the moment in the middle/Death overs? He has to be there in that flight to the World Cup,' Pathan said.
In the IPL, the power batter also reached his 1000 runs while wearing the yellow jersey.
The left-handed hitter is the only member of the CSK batting lineup with over 1,000 runs scored and over 140 strikeouts per game.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Innings | 33 |
| Runs | 1018 |
| Average (Avg) | 37.7 |
| Strike Rate (SR) | 161.07 |
| 50s (Half-centuries) | 8 |
| Highest Score (HS) | 95 |
Dube also discussed his knock that he sustained during the first innings of play. Before facing the bowlers, he spoke with captain Ruturaj Gaikawad.
The audience's support in particular is incredible. We like having games in Chennai. All fields are similar to home fields, but this one gives me a little extra motivation. After playing for a while, Rutu needed one over to recover, so I chose to take the bowler on,' Dube informed the cameras.
The left-handed hitter said that KL Rahul's LSG was the reason CSK was able to score above par.
We are 10–15 runs above par because of how many runs we have scored. We still have ten runs remaining, but we must bowl effectively. I enjoy it when Rutu bats because of his superior class,' he continued.
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