Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Subramaniam Badrinath brutally criticized Shivam Dube as the team suffered a 10-run defeat against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). While CSK was chasing a target of 195, they were in a good position at the juncture of the contest.
When they lost their fourth batter in the form of Sarfaraz Khan, they were on 112 runs inside the 11th over of the second innings. From there, CSK managed to get only 184 runs in 20 overs in response to SRH’s 195. Soon after the departure of Khan, Dewald Brevis went for a duck, and Shivam Dube scored only 21 runs from 16 balls.
Badrinath refused to call Shivam Dube a striker
For the loss, which CSK could have won easily, Subramaniam Badrinath blamed Shivam Dube, who is well known for his hitting skills. In the ongoing Indian Premier League season, the Team India star has been struggling to perform according to his stature. Badrinath called Dube nothing but baggage for the Chennai Super Kings.
“We keep calling some great strikers and hitters. But, sorry to say, it’s too easy to bowl to him (Shivam Dube) in the end overs. 60 to win off 36 is easy these days. You are part of the Indian team as a death hitter. You don’t bowl, and you are a burden on the field. It’s impossible to hide him on the field. You are there just for your ball striking. If you can’t even do that and it’s just a slow bouncer and over to you”, the former batter said on his YouTube channel.
Former batter explained how Shivam Dube will have to bat
Badrinath explained that in modern-day T20 cricket, batters need to smash even on the good deliveries. For that, batters will have to access other areas of the ground as well, using footwork.
“Gone are the times when you’ll strike only if a bowler misses. You have to access other areas of the ground and use your feet to move around the crease. He has none of these, which makes it really easy to bowl to him. Bowl a yorker or slow bouncer, and he and the other CSK batters are over right there. He is finished if you bowl a yorker to him. Forget fours and sixes,” he added.
Badrinath asks Sanju Samson and Ruturaj Gaikwad to play long innings
After playing 6 games, CSK is ranked seventh in the points list. The former cricketer expressed that either Sanju Samson or the captain Ruturaj Gaikwad will have to play long-standing knocks to provide the batting line-up stability. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad’s batting average in IPL 2026 is 13.66 at a strike rate of 112.32 in six outings.
“Sanju or Ruturaj has to play deep. There is no other way, there is no chance, irrespective of whatever changes they make elsewhere. Matthew Short did what he always does, so no use blaming him and the others,” Subramaniam Badrinath expressed.
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