IPL 2024: "That Magic Recipe" - AB De Villiers Reveals Why It's Worked For Shivam Dube At CSK And Not RCB

IPL great turned JioCinema expert AB de Villiers explained why Shivam Dube has found success at Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and not at his former team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The Indian all-rounder, who was bought by CSK in the 2022 auction after being released by Rajasthan Royals in 2021, has looked a much-transformed player since making his debut in the cash-rich league with RCB in 2019.

While Dube managed to score just 169 runs in 15 innings across two seasons for RCB, the all-rounder added 230 in 9 innings during his 1 season stint with RR in 2021. The strike rate for a player of his ability back then was pretty average, hovering around 120.

However, since his move to CSK, the talented player from Mumbai has managed to showcase his big-hitting ability against both spin and pace, scoring over 800 runs so far for the defending champions.

The 30-year-old Dube scored two fifties in his first season with CSK, amassing a total of 289 runs in 11 innings with a best of an unbeaten 95, 16 sixes and a strike rate of 156.22.

In the second season with CSK, Dube's strike rate improved to 158.33 as he struck 35 maximums, and scored 418 runs, including three fifties in 16 innings, playing a key role in the title-winning season.

In IPL 2024, he has continued from where he left off, with a fifty and 6 maximums in 2 innings. And this major transformation has a reason which De Villiers spoke about following the big-hitting batter's 51 off 23 against GT on Tuesday (March 26).

"It's fantastic to see Shivam like this. He never really broke free in the RCB changing room. He was quite a shy guy, worked really hard, and asked a lot of questions back in the day," De Villier said on JioCinema.

The former RCB star wicketkeeper-batter believes that Dube learnt a lot from his time with the Bengaluru-based side, but feels the magic recipe that has helped CSK transform many players is the key to the Mumbai all-rounder's improvement.

"I think he did a bit of learning there but never felt comfortable. He talks about being free in CSK, and that is the magic recipe that MSD (Dhoni), (Ruturaj) Gaikwad, Stephen Fleming, and all the guys from the past have set up over there," De Villiers added.

"It's a workhorse of a franchise that just makes it work every time, every single season, with new players who feel free to express themselves." Dube is among many players who saw a change in their game since moving to CSK.

The Chennai Super Kings beat Gujarat Titans by 63 runs to record their second win of IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday (March 26). The defending champions will next take on Delhi Capitals in Visakhapatnam on Sunday (March 31).