IPL 2021 auction: ‘I feel at home,’ says Shivam Dube after Rajasthan Royals buys him

Shivam Dube. Pic/AFP

India all-rounder Shivam Dube, who represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), will now play for Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the upcoming IPL.

Dube, 27, whose base price was Rs 50 lakh, was sold to RR for Rs 4.4 crore during the IPL auction in Chennai on Thursday. Dube reckoned that getting a bigger amount was not on his mind during the auction.

Dube, who had a practice session with the Mumbai team in Jaipur prior to the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy yesterday, keenly followed the auction on television.

"Being in the IPL and maintaining your performance is the big deal. I don't worry about the money. I know that I am going to become a big player if I work really hard," Dube told mid-day from Jaipur on Thursday.

In 2019, RCB bought Dube for R5 crore. He scored 129 runs and claimed four wickets in 11 IPL games.

‘A new family'

When asked what went through his mind when three teams - Sunrisers Hyderabad, RR and Delhi Capitals - were bidding for him, he said: "I knew that there were few teams, who were interested in me. They knew what type of a player I am. I was more excited as I didn't know which team I am going to play for in the next IPL. Now, I am feeling good that I am in RR. It's a new team, a new family and of course, there will be a totally new atmosphere so it's a nice feeling."

Delighted Dube

Dube, who has represented the country in 13 T20Is and the lone ODI, is delighted to play under Sanju Samson's captaincy and be guided by RR team director Zubin Bharucha.

"Sanju is my friend and I know Zubin sir from my U-19 days. He knows how to utilise me. I feel at home," said Dube.

"In 2013 or 2014, Zubin sir called me at Venus ground in Goregaon to bat against some RR bowlers. I still remember how I did a lot of power hitting, which included a huge six which went over left-arm pacer Kamran Khan's head. Zubin sir was delighted and told me that my straight drive was a special shot. He said, ‘Don't think about anything else, just focus on the game and I have the quality to be a good player,'"recalled Dube.