NEW DELHI: Legendary South African cricketer
AB de Villiers
has attributed
Shivam Dube
's resurgence in cricket to his stint with the Chennai Super Kings, highlighting the franchise's nurturing environment under the leadership of MS Dhoni and
Stephen Fleming
.
De Villiers' remarks come in the wake of Dube's notable improvement since moving to CSK from
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
.
Dube's journey in the Indian Premier League started in 2019 with RCB, where he struggled to make a significant impact, managing just 169 runs in 15 matches at a modest strike rate of 122.
Despite subsequent moves to Rajasthan Royals, success continued to elude him, with his batting prowess coming under scrutiny, particularly against short-pitched deliveries.
De Villiers, who shared the RCB dressing room with Dube, noted that the all-rounder failed to find his rhythm with the team, citing discomfort and a lack of freedom within the setup. However, de Villiers believes that Dube has thrived since joining CSK, crediting the franchise's culture of empowerment and expression for his newfound confidence.
"It's fantastic to see Shivam like this. He never really broke free in the RCB changing room. He was quite a shy guy, worked really hard, and asked a lot of questions back in the day. I think he did a bit of learning there but never felt comfortable," remarked de Villiers.
"He talks about being free in CSK, and that is the magic recipe that MSD, Gaikwad, Stephen Fleming, and all the guys from the past have set up over there."
Dube's breakout season with CSK saw him score 289 runs at an impressive strike rate of 156, showcasing his ability to dominate the opposition with his aggressive batting style. His dedication to improving his game, particularly against short-pitched deliveries, was evident in CSK's recent match against the Gujarat Titans, where he smashed 51 off 23 balls, including five towering sixes.
Despite initial struggles, Dube's perseverance and hard work have paid off, earning him a spot back in the Indian T20I side and reaffirming his status as a dynamic talent in the cricketing world.
English (US) ·