Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar slammed Shivam Dube after the medium-pacer conceded 25 runs in the 19th over he bowled against Lucknow Super Giants at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Thursday.
It was the turning point of the game as CSK had their noses in front with 34 needed off the last two overs but the reigning champions went on to lose by six wickets.
Dube has the experience of playing international cricket but he could not execute his plans with a wet ball. The medium-pacer was hit for a six by young Ayush Badoni on the first ball of the over and he was under immense pressure after that. Dube bowled two wides and then he was hit for two consecutive fours by Evin Lewis. Furthermore, the left-hander smashed a six on the last ball to add salt to the injury.
Dube bowled half-volleys and it was easy for a well-settled Evin Lewis to punish him and CSK. The medium-pacer also tried to bowl slow balls but his execution was not right.
Gavaskar said on commentary, “He has played a fair bit of limited-overs cricket and he is still bowling those length balls. He is going to get punished. Of course, it’s not fair that somebody who has not bowled so far is given the 19th over when the batsmen are looking to play the shots. But look at it… it’s a length ball.”
“He is bowling the slower delivery but a slower delivery is very useful on a turning, dry pitch. Not on a pitch where the ball is coming off the bat quite nicely.”
Meanwhile, Dwaine Pretorius bowled the 17th over for CSK whereas Dwayne Bravo was given the 18th over by Ravindra Jadeja. Thus, the last two overs were to be bowled by inexperienced bowlers. The Little Master added that CSK calculation went wrong in the death overs. Jadeja could have also bowled himself or given the ball to Moeen Ali, who has more experience than Shivam Dube.
“Clearly, CSK’s calculation as far as who should be bowling is going wrong. A length ball and a nice easy swing on this lovely batting pitch. He clearly hasn’t learnt anything, Shivam Dube. A quicker ball but length ball this time and it has gone the distance.”
This is the first time in the IPL history when CSK have lost their opening two matches of a season. Chennai Super Kings will next face Punjab Kings at the Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
