Ravichandran Ashwin accuses CSK of underutilising Shivam Dube after 2nd IND vs SA T20I

Former India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin accused the five-time IPL champions of underutilizing Shivam Dube with the ball in the league. Ashwin’s attack came after Shivam Dube's another impressive spell against South Africa in the ongoing five-match T20I series.

Lately, the Men in Blue have been using Dube as the sixth bowling option, and he has been impressive. In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa at home, the Indian seamer bowled only three balls in the first game, giving away only one run.

Ravichandran Ashwin slams Chennai Super Kings after Shivam Dube shines with ball for India

The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder was then sent for two overs and conceded only 18 runs against South Africa during India’s 51-run defeat in the second T20I on December 11 in Mullanpur. Even on the recent Australia tour, Dube impressed everyone with his handy bowling in the tough conditions.

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On that tour, two games were washed out, and Dube got the chance to bowl in the two matches and made a significant impact, taking one wicket in three overs while conceding 43 runs in the third T20I and two wickets in two overs while giving away 20 runs in the fourth T20I against Australia.

Following Dube’s continuous impression with the ball for India in T20Is as the sixth bowling option, Ashwin called out the CSK for playing the all-rounder only as the batter in the IPL. The former Indian all-rounder believes that the Chennai Super Kings should start using Dube more seriously as a bowling option instead of relying on him only for big hits.

Shivam Dube's bowling hasn’t been utilized by CSK: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ashwin pointed out that Shivam Dube has already shown he can bowl well and deserves to be used as the team’s sixth bowler in the IPL. He feels CSK have not taken full advantage of Dube’s bowling in past seasons, but things could change in the upcoming IPL 2026.

The former Indian off-spinner has pointed out that if CSK begins to trust Dube’s all-round skills, it could also open up many new possibilities for them at the upcoming IPL 2026 auction.

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Sharing a picture of Dube bowling in the second T20I against South Africa, Ashwin posted on his X handle: “This guy has shown enough capabilities with the ball to prove that he can be a good 6th bowling option for CSK in the IPL. His bowling hasn’t been utilized by them, but this season it could change, and if it does, the possibilities at the auction increase manyfold.”

This guy has shown enough capabilities with the ball to prove that he can be a good 6th bowing option for CSK in the IPL.

His bowling hasn’t been utilised by them, but this season it could change and if it does, the possibilities at the auction increase many folds. pic.twitter.com/rvYhdRPy7W

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 11, 2025

Shivam Dube eyes redemption with ball as CSK retain him for IPL 2026

Notably, Shivam Dube hardly got a chance to bowl for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025. He bowled only two overs in the entire season, and that was in the final league match against Gujarat Titans. CSK have tried different players as their sixth bowler based on the situation, but they didn’t use Dube with the ball.

Across his T20 career, Dube has taken 68 wickets in 185 matches at an economy rate of 8.84. In T20Is, the star all-rounder has picked up 22 wickets in 47 games so far. However, he must be hoping for change in this approach in the IPL 2026 after being retained by the CSK for INR 12 crore ahead of the mini-auction, which is scheduled for December 16 in Abu Dhabi.