Promising Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube not touched by IPL auction buzz

While many have seen an Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in the middle of a domestic season to be detrimental to the cause of the franchises, it might not be so for some players who are in a great touch in the same season. One such player is Mumbai’s Shivam Dube who has been performing very well in the ongoing season and could become an overnight star if picked by any of the franchises in the auction for the 2019 edition to be held in Jaipur on December 18.

The 25-year-old has hit two hundreds and two fifties besides 16 wickets, including one seven-for, in the four matches in the Ranji Trophy this year and even India’s legendary Sunil Gavaskar has showered praise on the player who only made his first-class debut in December last year. However, Mumbai have struggled as a team this season so far, failing to pick a single win, losing one and drawing three.

The tally of 377 runs and 16 runs, including the two hundreds and one fifer definitely puts Dube under the lens of the talent-hunting franchises but the player said he is not much distracted by the fuss of the IPL and is concentrating on his job in Ranji. Five of his four games in the prestigious domestic tournament have happened this year after his debut game last year.

Gavaskar’s praise means a lot

“It’s been a great season for me till now and I’m trying to build on whatever I have achieved till now. It’s been just four matches, and I want to achieve more and take Mumbai to another Ranji title. So, for a legend like Sunil Gavaskar to talk about you, it is out of the world,” CricketNext quoted Dube as saying.

“Now I need to keep delivering and live up to the expectations. This recognition will only make me work harder. But now is not the time to think about the IPL as I have to win for my state.”

Dube said although like playing for the national side, appearing in the IPL is something which every player cherishes because of the instant recognition it gives, he is not looking too far ahead and taking one game at a time and trying to make an impact both with the bat and ball.

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