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Dube Reveals CSK’s Bat-Deep Plan After Slow Start vs GT in IPL 2026

Shivam Dube admitted CSK had a sluggish start in their IPL 2026 clash against GT but felt they recovered well to post 158/7. He highlighted the uneven pitch conditions that troubled both seamers and spinners. Dube and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad focused on batting deep to stabilize the innings. The left-hander also shared his evolving approach to dominate fast bowling.

Key Points: Shivam Dube on CSK’s IPL 2026 Plan: Bat Deep, Get Boundaries

  • CSK scored 158/7 after a slow start vs GT
  • Dube and Gaikwad built a key partnership
  • Pitch offered uneven bounce for bowlers
  • Dube working on dominating fast bowlers
2 min read

IPL 2026: 'Plan was to bat deep and try to get boundaries in the middle,' says Dube after CSK's sluggish innings vs GT

Shivam Dube reflects on CSK’s sluggish innings vs GT in IPL 2026, explaining the plan to bat deep and target boundaries after a slow start at Chepauk.

"The first 10 overs, we did not have a good start, but after that, we came to 159, an amazing score. - Shivam Dube"

Chennai, April 26

Middle-order batter Shivam Dube acknowledged that a sluggish start hurt Chennai Super Kings' batting effort but felt the side recovered well to post a competitive total against Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League 2026 clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

Reflecting on the innings after the first half, Dube pointed out the contrast between the slow start and the eventual finish. "The first 10 overs, we did not have a good start, but after that, we came to 159, an amazing score. 159 is one of the best scores I feel over there. It's not easy with the fast bowler as well as with the spinner," he told the broadcasters.

CSK had struggled early on, losing wickets in the powerplay and finding run-scoring difficult on a surface that offered assistance to both seamers and spinners. Dube elaborated on the pitch's nature, highlighting its uneven behaviour.

"The ball is not coming evenly. It's up and down, especially with the fast bowlers. Holder was bowling really well. Arshad bowled really well. It was coming fast and coming slow as well," he said, referring to Jason Holder and Arshad Khan, who kept the CSK batters in check during the middle overs.

Amid the challenging conditions, Dube stitched a crucial partnership with skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad to stabilise the innings. He explained that their focus was on batting deep rather than taking undue risks early.

"At that time, we wanted both of us to bat at least till 15-16 overs. That was more important. So that was the plan at that time to bat deep and try to get those boundaries in the middle. That was more important."

The left-hander also spoke about his evolving approach against pace bowling, an area he has been working on to expand his game.

"It's something I'm learning much from my side. I play fast bowlers. I try to dominate fast bowlers as well now."

CSK finished at 158/7, a total that could prove difficult to defend against GT at the venue.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Honestly, CSK's batting has been too dependent on Gaikwad and Dube. The top order needs to step up, especially in the powerplay. You can't always rely on a late surge to post a decent total. Dube's improvement against pace is good to see, but we need more from the openers.
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Priya S
Dube is really maturing as a cricketer. Earlier he used to just swing blindly, but now he's talking about batting deep and reading the pitch. That's the CSK way—slow and steady wins the race! Let's see how our bowlers defend this on a tricky surface. 🤞
V
Vikram M
A bit disappointed with the spin twins—Jadeja and Santner—not contributing much with the bat today. But Dube is right, Holder and Arshad bowled tight lines. 159 feels 20 runs short on this ground, but if the pitch stays this slow, GT will struggle too. Close game incoming!
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Kavya N
Dube's statement about "dominating fast bowlers" is interesting—he's come a long way from being a short-ball victim. But I wish he'd shown more intent earlier in the innings. We lost too many wickets in the powerplay, and that's been a recurring issue for CSK this season. Hope the bowlers can defend this!
M
Michael C
As someone who watches a lot of IPL, I think 159 is par on this surface. CSK's strategy of batting deep was sensible—if they'd tried to attack earlier, they'd have folded for 130. Dube and Gaikwad showed good game awareness. GT will find it equally tough to bat second.

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