Aakash Chopra exposes RCB's dirty game plan for Shivam Dube

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra picked Shivam Dube as one of the standout performers in the inaugural match of IPL 2024. Aakash Chopra commended Shivam Dube’s impressive batting display, especially his adeptness in facing bouncers with confidence and skill.

Shivam encountered difficulties facing short deliveries during his innings. RCB bowlers took advantage of the new rule allowing two bouncers per over, targeting Dube with short-pitched balls. However, he dispatched a short ball for six at the end of the innings.

Shivam Dube Will Hit Them A Lot – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra highlighted Shivam Dube‘s adeptness in countering the bowling tactics. Chopra noted that RCB skipper Faf du Plessis refrained from using spinners against Dube, recognizing his strength.

“In the second innings, everyone gave small, small performances, whether it was Ruturaj Gaikwad at the start, Rachin Ravindra, or Daryl Mitchell, but the performance that was closest to my heart came from Shivam Dube’s bat,” Chopra said.

“They were just trying to bowl bouncers against him. He can play bouncers and he has shown that by doing it repeatedly. You stopped spin as soon as he came in because Shivam Dube will hit them a lot. So his reputation came before him. The way he played the bouncers – well done, Shivam Dube,” he added.

RCB scored 173 runs after opting to bat first in Chennai on Friday, March 22. Dube came in as Impact Player, during the run chase. The southpaw added a crucial partnership of 66 runs with Ravindra Jadeja, leading the defending champions to victory with six wickets.

The 30-year-old all-rounder remained unbeaten, scoring 34 runs off 28 balls, including four boundaries and a six. He hit a crucial six off Alzarri Joseph when eight runs were needed off 10 balls. The next delivery resulted in leg byes, contributing to the team’s victory.

Suddenly The Flying Team Crashlanded – Aakash Chopra

The former Indian opener hailed Mustafizur Rahman as one of the standout performers of the first innings. Chopra highlighted Rahman’s pivotal role in breaking key partnerships, particularly when the opposing team seemed to gain momentum.

“The first is Mustafizur Rahman. He picked up two wickets in an over twice. When the opposing team was flying and Faf du Plessis was playing well, he picked up two wickets – first Faf and Rajat Patidar three deliveries later. Suddenly the flying team crashlanded,” Chopra further added.

“Then there was a consolidation once again and then he dismissed Virat Kohli and along with him Cameron Green. Both of them were batting well. So Mustafizur Rahman is that one performance for which you stand up and clap. He wasn’t performing as well when he was playing in other places.”

Mustafizur Rahman seized the opportunity in the absence of Matheesha Pathirana. The left-arm pacer made the most of the chance. RCB raced to 41/0 in four overs, but Rahman claimed two wickets in his opening over, including Faf du Plessis (35) and Rajat Patidar.

Virat Kohli (21) and Cameron Green (18) appeared to shift the momentum in favor of RCB with their partnership. However, Rahman turned the tide by dismissing both batters in his second over, leaving RCB struggling at 78/5. He concluded his four-over spell with impressive figures of 4/28 and earned the ‘Player of the Match’ award.

Also read: Watch: MS Dhoni in awe of Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube’s monstrous sixes during net session