Tag: IPL

Shivam Dube Respects MS Dhoni’s IPL Decision-Making and Aims for Indian Team Success

Indian cricketer Shivam Dube, known for his prowess as an all-rounder, believes that the legendary MS Dhoni is the best judge when it comes to deciding whether he should be given a chance to bowl during the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

During the 2023 IPL season, Dube showcased his batting skills while representing the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), accumulating an impressive 418 runs in 14 innings at a striking strike rate of 158.33. However, he primarily played as a specialist batsman and did not get many opportunities to bowl throughout the tournament.

In a recent interaction on the AakashVani show on JioCinema, Shivam Dube was questioned about whether the Impact Player rule had prevented him from bowling in the IPL and if he had ever approached MS Dhoni, CSK’s captain, to express his desire to bowl. Dube responded by explaining the dynamics within the CSK team:

“When it comes to the CSK team, we already had Moeen Ali as the sixth bowling option. I come in as the seventh option, so I would only be used if the situation absolutely demanded it. This is primarily due to the Impact Player rule. I am constantly working on improving my bowling so that I can contribute with one or two overs for the team.”

Dube went on to emphasize the trust he places in Dhoni’s judgment regarding when he should be given the ball. He expressed that approaching Dhoni with a request to bowl would be a sign of disrespect, as Dhoni possesses a deep understanding of the game. According to Dube, Dhoni always encourages him to focus on playing without stressing about bowling, and when he eventually began bowling, Dhoni acknowledged the improvement in his skills.

Dhoni, the seasoned captain, clarified to Dube that his decision regarding bowling was based on the match situation and the team’s needs. He consistently reassured Dube that his performance graph would ascend gradually.

Shivam Dube, when asked about his aspirations and goals, emphasized his burning desire to represent the Indian national cricket team and make a significant contribution to the country’s success. He disclosed:

“My primary goal has always been to play for the Indian team and make a meaningful contribution. It’s constantly on my mind that I have the potential to bring the World Cup home for my country.”

Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube

Dube, who is 30 years old, expressed his determination to regain his place in the full-strength Indian squad. He acknowledged that achieving this goal requires significant effort and dedication. However, he also conveyed optimism about the direction in which his career is progressing, feeling that he is inching closer to his dream of playing for India.

Dube’s recent participation in India’s T20Is during the tour of Ireland and his inclusion in the Indian contingent for the upcoming Asian Games indicate his commitment to performing at a high level and staking a claim for a spot in the Men in Blue’s squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup.

In summary, Shivam Dube’s unwavering dedication to representing India on the international stage, coupled with his trust in MS Dhoni’s guidance, underscores his determination to continue improving as a cricketer and contribute significantly to his country’s cricketing success.

Ashwin, Chahal, and Zampa Royals’ three-card trick pays off despite the risk

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been known for bringing together some of the world’s top cricketers and creating dream teams that fans could only imagine in their wildest dreams. This year, one such dream team has flown under the radar, with not much fanfare, despite their incredible talent and experience.

We’re talking about the spin trio of Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, and Adam Zampa, who have come together to form one of the most lethal spin attacks in the history of the IPL. Between the three of them, Chahal, Ashwin, and Zampa have 874 T20 wickets, which is an impressive feat, to say the least. No other team in the IPL has ever fielded such a prolific spin attack, making the Rajasthan Royals’ spin trio one to watch this season. While other teams have tried to bring together spinners in the past, none have managed to put together a trio with as much pedigree, skill, body of work, and experience as the Royals have.

Ashwin, who is the most experienced of the three, has reimagined himself as a spinner and dismantled the bowler we knew, putting himself back together to become one of the most effective spinners in white-ball cricket. He has been told that there is no place for fingerspinners in limited-overs cricket, but he has proven the critics wrong time and again. Zampa, on the other hand, is a quicker legspinner who doesn’t give up the stumps and hardly ever gets lofted down the ground. He has been one of the most consistent performers for Australia in limited-overs cricket and has been a vital cog in the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s spin attack in the past. Chahal, the youngest of the trio, is a mix of both Ashwin and Zampa. He still targets the stumps, but he relies more on the sideways turn that he gets, making him a tough nut to crack for any batsman. He has been one of the most consistent performers for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, and his ability to pick wickets in the middle overs has been one of the main reasons for his success.

In the match against the Gujarat Titans, the Royals decided to field first and therefore included all three spinners in their starting XI. However, having two leg-spinners turned out to be a disadvantage for them as Hardik Pandya managed to dismiss Zampa during the powerplay but fell prey to Chahal later on. In the game, the spin trio bowled a total of 12 overs and conceded 105 runs, while Rashid Khan, who also played, gave away 46 runs. Despite this, the spinners continued to bowl during the powerplay and at the death, bowling four overs in both phases of the game. What makes this spin trio so lethal is their ability to work in tandem and put pressure on the batsmen from both ends. Among the three spinners in the Royals squad, Ashwin is considered the most reliable as he is a banker who doesn’t try to take unnecessary risks to get wickets. He has a good track record of maintaining a low economy rate and rarely concedes more than ten runs in his four overs. On the other hand, Zampa is a leg-spinner with a faster delivery, who is skilled at keeping the ball away from the stumps and preventing the opposition from hitting him down the ground. Chahal is the perfect mix of both, who can bowl both attacking and defensive lines, depending on the situation.

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