All-rounder Shivam Dube was purchased by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for INR 4 crores on Day 2 of the IPL 2022 auction on Sunday.
The 28-year-old had earlier represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the IPL. He had a reasonable season for the RR last year, scoring 230 runs in nine matches at an average of 28.75. His best of 64* came off 42 deliveries against the franchise that picked him on Sunday at the auction.
CHECK: All 10 Teams IPL 2022 Squad with Auction Price
Shivam Dube on Playing for CSK
Apart from being roped by his favourite IPL team, Shivam Dube also became a father for the first time when his wife Anjum Khan gave birth to their son Ayan in a city hospital.
“My son was born on February 9, and I left with the Mumbai team for the Ranji Trophy the next day. I couldn’t spend any time with my son because he was rushed to the NICU.
He was born after a C-section procedure. Having been born 25 days earlier, he is a preterm baby. His breathing was fast, but it’s normal now, and he’s at home. The doctor said that preterm babies are normally kept under observation for a couple of days.
I was very anxious but relieved that things are fine now,” Dube told TOI from Ahmedabad, where he’s currently stationed with the Mumbai team for the Ranji Trophy, which will kick off on Wednesday.
“My son has brought me luck. 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. I will try to come back into the Indian team by doing well for CSK,” said the left-hander.
At the moment, Dube, like all domestic players, is all keyed up for the Ranji Trophy, which kicks off on Wednesday after a gap of a season. “Today is the last day of quarantine. We’ll start practising tomorrow.
I last played a First-Class match (against Bengal for Mumbai) in December 2021. So I’m excited to play with the red ball again. It will be great fun. Our first match is a very important game against defending champions Saurashtra. We’ll put all our effort into it,” he said.
He has also played 13 T20Is for India between November 2019 and February 2020. Dube has scored 105 runs with a best of 54, averaging 17.50 with a strike rate of 136.36. He conceded 34 runs in an over in a T20I against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui and has not donned Indian colors since.
With Team India always in search of a big-hitter, He’s hopeful of finding a way back into Team India again.
