Mumbai, April 30: Shivam Dube’s 95-run unbeaten run for Chennai Super Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ‘Southern Derby’ over a fortnight ago is one of the few memorable things for the four-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions this season. .
In a forgettable season for the team led by Ravindra Jadeja thus far, Dube and his partnership with Robin Uthappa (88) was the key to the team posting a gargantuan 216/4 on that memorable day match at DY Patil Stadium. on April 12, which CSK won by 23 runs.
But few would know about the 28-year-old Mumbai cricketer and his cricket initiation. For all his success in the IPL, Dube has been with RCB, Rajashtan Royals and now CSK, he has his domestic helper to thank, who became so frustrated with his stroke play when he was just four years old, that he refused. bowling for fear of being made to run all over the park to retrieve the ball.
Revealing an interesting incident in his life, Dube said: “When I started playing cricket at the age of four in my building, we had a maid who would throw balls at me and I would hit. I had to run to get the ball. After one or two days he stopped throwing balls at me and I went upstairs to tell my father.
“My dad asked what’s the problem with throwing balls at a four-year-old. And he (domestic helper) said that I have to run to get the ball, that it is hitting him everywhere. So my dad asked him to throw balls for him and he watched me play. “I stood left-handed and my father was surprised because both mum and dad are right-handed. Then I hit the balls and my dad decided he would play cricket,” Dube revealed.
“This is the story that drew me to cricket. My dad took an interest and saw my ability. He always told me you have the talent but you still have to work hard,” Dube added.
The left-handed batsman has scored the most runs for CSK in IPL 2022, with 247 runs in eight innings, the best being 95 unbeaten against RCB.