No competition with Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar, eyeing a place in India's World Cup squad: Shivam Dube

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All-rounder Shivam Dube has become a different beast ever since joining Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ahead of the IPL 2022. The first season with the five-time champions saw him score 289 runs in 11 matches at an average of 28.90 and a strike rate of 156.21.

This was way different than the 230 runs he scored at a strike rate of 119.17 for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the previous. However, a blatantly visible change in Dube's form and his confidence came in the IPL 2023. The 30-year-old emerged as a true match-winner.

The Mumbai batter batted in the middle-overs before being promoted at the crucial number three spot towards the business end of the tournament. On the night of the final, Dube held his nerves with Ravindra Jadeja as CSK chased down a 171-run target against Gujarat Titans (GT) on the final ball of the match.

Dube remained unbeaten on 32 off 21 balls. He finished the season with 418 runs in 16 matches at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 158.33. Even though he has picked 41 wickets in 106 T20 matches, Dhoni used him as a specialist batter and the 2.0 version of Dube in yellow jersey is there for everyone to see.

However, the hard-hitting batter who has improved his game tremendously in the last couple of years is dreaming to don the India blue for the first time after February 2020. Like every other cricketer Shivam Dube wants to be part of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup.

In an exclusive interaction with MyKhel courtesy Parimatch Sports, Dube quashed out questions on his competition with Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar for a spot. He said he considers himself as his only competition.

GT's Hardik and Shankar were up against Dube in the IPL 2023 final. Shankar scored 301 runs in 14 matches at an average of 37.62 and a strike rate of 160.10. Hardik, on the other hand, scored 346 runs in 16 matches at an average of 31.45 and a strike rate of 136.75.

"Yes. Of course (eyeing a place in India's World Cup squad). Every player wants to play in a World Cup, more so when it's happening in India. But I can only focus on my own performances, rest is up to the selectors," Dube, who is brand ambassador of Parimatch Sports, told MyKhel.

"No. I am my only competition. I don't look at other players. I train every day to become better than I was the day before," he said on being asked if he takes Hardik Pandya and Vijay Shankar as his competitors.

'That's a secret'

Dube got to his absolute best at the CSK and passed tough tests with flying colours, and therefore a bit of credit is bound to be given to MS Dhoni who backed him to the extent that he has emerged as one of the biggest match-winners for his team.

Players have lined up after the matches almost in order to take blessings and preaching from him. Dube being Dhoni's very own soldier and a key one, must not have missed the opportunity to seek the route for his India comeback from the guru who is determined to play one more season of IPL.

On being asked about the same, almost in Dhoni-esque style, Dube quipped, "That's a secret."