Former CSK Star Tears Into Shivam Dube Called ‘Burden’ for CSK’s Over Disappointing IPL 2026 Form

Former Chennai Super Kings batter Subramaniam Badrinath was heavily critical of Shivam Dube following CSK's 10-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2026.

Chasing 195 to win CSK seemed well placed with their innings progressing nicely. However the fourth wicket fell and things started to unravel after Sarfaraz Khan's dismissal at 112 under 11 overs.

Their situation deteriorated further when Dewald Brevis was dismissed for a duck, and Dube could only muster a poor 21 from 16 balls, with expectations of him being a finisher of the innings. CSK were limited to 184, losing out on the match by ten runs.

Badrinath didn't hold back in his criticism following the match when discussing Dube's form and his place within the side. Badrinath said that despite the batsman's reputation as a power-hitter, he has failed to justify his place throughout the ongoing IPL season. The former cricketer did not shy away from calling Dube the "baggage" for Chennai Super Kings. 

 Badrinath said on his YouTube channel:

"We keep calling some great strikers and hitters. But, sorry to say, it's too easy to bowl to him (Shivam Dube) in the end overs. 60 to win off 36 is easy these days. You are part of the Indian team as a death hitter. You don't bowl and you are a burden on the field. It's impossible to hide him on the field. You are there just for your ball striking. If you can't even do that and it's just a slow bouncer and over to you"

'Modern T20 needs more than just power'

Badrinath went on to explain how T20 batting has evolved in recent times.

"Gone are the times when you'll strike only if a bowler misses. You have to access other areas of the ground and use your feet to move around the crease. He has none of these, which makes it really easy to bowl to him. Bowl a yorker or slow bouncer, and he and the other CSK batters are over right there. He is finished if you bowl a yorker to him. Forget fours and sixes".

He also suggested that there needs to be more stability in the CSK batting lineup and highlighted that more senior batters need to stand up. The team have been struggling in IPL 2026. Ruturaj Gaikwad is in poor form as the skipper has only accumulated 82 runs in 6 games so far with both the average and strike rate extremely poor. Badrinath believes that either Gaikwad or another senior batter such as Sanju Samson needs to play a bigger role and play a longer innings in order to set a proper chase.

CSK are currently seventh in the table and still in the fight to reach the playoffs. However, with injuries and inconsistencies plaguing their campaign, they need to rectify issues with the bat, and in particular, turn tight situations around when looking to chase large totals.