Former Team India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin strongly advised the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) management against using Shivam Dube as their primary death over finisher. Ashwin explained that the ₹12 crore star is more suited to the role of a middle-order enforcer rather than batting in the final overs.
Chennai Super Kings will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday, April 23. Shivam Dubey has scored 123 runs at an average of 123 runs in six matches. 41.00 more Strike rate of 150.00. The left-handed batsman managed to score 21 runs in 16 balls in the last game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin talked about Shivam Dube’s role in CSK’s batting lineup. He clarified that Dubey has strong potential but currently lacks the necessary experience to consistently play the demanding role of a finisher.
Ashwin said, “Dubey is not a finisher. In the Indian team, he batted in the lower middle order in the matches he was not used against spin. He played a supporting role to Hardik Pandya in the late overs. But he is not your real finisher. He can develop into that role as a finisher, but as of now, he is not.”
Dubey struggled to finish the game in Chennai Super Kings’ recent match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The team needed only 83 runs in the last 10 overs, but the target was missed. In such a situation, Dubey could not lead CSK to victory.
CSK should use Shivam Dubey and Dewald Brevis first – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin further stressed that Chennai Super Kings should use Shivam Dubey and Dewald Brevis at the beginning of the innings. He criticized the management for restricting their spin batsmen while chasing a modest target against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“Instead, CSK should use him and Brevis to finish the match first. But when you don’t use them in that role and play them as finishers, it looks out of place. Dubey is batting very well, and in this particular game, he should play most of Santner’s overs,” he added.
Urvil Patel will have to replace Ayush Mhatre – Ravichandran Ashwin
Ravichandran Ashwin suggested several strategic changes after Ayush Mhatre’s injury. He proposed using Urvil Patel or MS Dhoni in the lineup while recommending adjustments to the overseas pace combination depending on the pitch conditions at the Wankhede Stadium.
“If Dhoni is not playing, Urvil Patel will have to replace Ayush Mhatre. If Dhoni is playing, he will replace Mhatre, and Sarfaraz Khan will have to bat at No. 3. There is a good chance that Spencer Johnson will replace Matthew Short because you don’t need another spinner in Mumbai,” Ashwin said (via the above source).
“Or if CSK want to play to their strengths, they can look at Akil Hosein as a fast bowler and give him two overs in the powerplay. This is possible because MI’s opening pair of Quinton de Kock and Danish Malewar is not that dangerous. So Akil Hosein’s arm-balls can work against them. But if they go with Spencer Johnson for short, remove Mukesh Chaudhary and both Urvil Patel and MS Dhoni. Play,” he added.
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