After the game, Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed the role MS Dhoni had played in Dube’s improvement.
Cricket legend Ab De Villiers has highlighted the stark difference in team cultures at the Chennai Super Kings and other franchises, notably the team he played for in the Indian Premier League for many seasons.
It must be noted that Dube started his IPL career in the 2019 season with RCB. He played two seasons for the Virat Kohli-led franchise. But in 15 matches, he just managed 169 runs at a strike rate of 122.
Against Gujarat on Tuesday, he scored 51 off 23 balls to held CSK win by 63 runs.
“I spent a bit of time with Dube at RCB. It’s absolutely fantastic to see him shine like this at CSK. He never really broke free at RCB changing room. Was quite a shy guy. Worked very hard, asked a lot of questions. He did a bit of learning there. But he never really felt comfortable,” De Villiers said on JioCinema.
“Dube talks about feeling free at CSK. That is the magic recipe that MSD (Dhoni), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Stephen Fleming have set up over there. They just make it work every single time, every single season with new players coming through that feel free with new players coming through.”
How Dhoni helped Dube
Dube had recounted how CSK had given him a sense of freedom.
“This franchise (CSK) is something different from all others. They are giving me the freedom. They want me to do better and I also want to win some matches,” Dube said after winning ‘Player of the Match’ award.
After the game, Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad revealed the role Dhoni had played in Dube’s improvement.
“Just confidence. When he came here, the management worked with him personally, Mahi bhai worked with him personally. He knows what role he is playing and which bowler to take on. A big plus for us,” Gaikwad praised his big-hitting game-changer,” Gaikwad said.
CSK batting coach Mike Hussey also detailed how Dhoni had played a part in bettering Dube’s technique.
“Got to give a lot of credit to Dube for working tirelessly against the short ball, an area he needed to improve on. Hats off to him, and he is playing with confidence now. He is also dangerous against the spin. As the teams bowled short balls at him a few years ago, he would only duck and defend. Now, not only he can play the short ones, but he is also able to find boundaries.”
Source:indianexpress.com