Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bowling coach Eric Simmons heaped massive praise on all-rounder Shivam Dube, stating that teams are “scared” to bowl spin against him due to his ability to control matches. Dube’s unbeaten 38-ball 66 played a crucial role in CSK’s 20-run win over Mumbai Indians in their IPL match in Mumbai.
Despite utilizing seven bowling options, Mumbai Indians did not continue with their spinners after the eighth over, with Dube facing just one ball from Shreyas Gopal. “When he (Dube) comes on, they take the spinners off (and) they put the pacemen on. He has become more and more effective at that. But they didn’t bowl spin again (in) the rest of the game because he was at the wicket,” Simmons said.
Simmons highlighted Dube’s ability to mix brute force with timing, something he believes doesn’t receive enough attention. “He hit a cover drive through extra cover. It was just the flow of the bat. It wasn’t the brute force that he sometimes does it with; it just flew to the fence. I don’t think people appreciate the timing with which he hits the ball. He’s got some brute force, but his timing is outstanding.”
