All-rounder Shivam Dube said he couldn’t control his excitement when he was selected by Chennai Super Kings in the 2022 Indian Premier League auction, adding that he always wanted to play under his idol, MS Dhoni captain.
Shivam Dube, 28, who became a father for the first time days before the 2022 IPL auction, had a double joy in February when he received the news of his CSK contract.
CSK in the IPL 2022: team profile
Dube has been working closely with his hero MS Dhoni at the CSK training sessions in Surat ahead of IPL 2022. After meeting him at their camp, Dube said he got goosebumps talking to the CSK captain. After receiving instruction from his new skipper ahead of the 10-team season, Dube is ready to put in the hard work and live up to the trust the 4-time champion has placed in him.
“I think you can still see the goosebumps because I’m always a huge fan of Mahi Bhai and CSK in particular. I was just chatting with Mahi Bhai yesterday. He asked me to do a few things and I told him I will definitely do it. If Mahi Bhai asks you to do something, consider it done,” Dube told CSK.
“I was very surprised that I had a little boy and became a father. The second big thing, again, after 4 days, I was picked from Chennai. I danced a little bit in my room, I was really happy. I called my wife and my family. I don’t dance often, but because I was happy, I danced,” he added.
“It was a big deal for me to be selected by Chennai. I felt great. I can’t put my excitement into words, but I was pleasantly surprised to have been selected by CSK.”
“NOW MORE CONFIDENT”
Dube, who played for Rajasthan Royals last season, was bought for Rs 4 crore, eight times his base price. The Indian all-rounder, who made his India debut in 2019, has played one ODI and 13 T20Is but has so far been unable to be a regular member of the senior team.
However, Dube hopes he can build on his confidence in being selected by CSK and fulfill his potential in the years to come.
“Even though it’s a different franchise for me, the attitude will remain the same. I have to do my best for the cause of the team, which has always been my mission as a player and will always be more confident now,” he said.
Dube, who had a mediocre season in 2020, showed brilliant flashes last season, hitting 230 runs in 9 games with a batting average of nearly 30.
