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Star batter Sarfaraz Khan, who couldn't find any bidders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction, is reportedly on the verge of joining Chennai Super Kings as a replacement for the injured all-rounder Shivam Dube. Dube sustained an injury during a Ranji Trophy match and is expected to be out of action for eight weeks.
Sarfaraz Khan to replace Shivam Dube?
Reports are doing rounds that the five-time IPL champions CSK are not inclined to wait for Dube's recovery and have communicated the situation to their captain, MS Dhoni. A CSK fan page on X has indicated that Dhoni has approved the decision to bring in the dynamic hitter, Sarfaraz Khan, who has been in outstanding form off late.
Sarfaraz Khan's exploits on Test debut
Sarfaraz Khan marked his Test debut in the third Test against England in Rajkot with two aggressive half-centuries right from his first innings.
Despite his Test success, Sarfaraz has struggled to make a significant impact in the Indian Premier League. Having played for teams including Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals, he has been unable to secure a stable position in any squad due to issues with fitness and insufficient performance with the bat.
His tenure with Delhi Capitals ended prematurely due to substandard performances, and his vulnerability to bouncers and short-pitched deliveries was a contributing factor to his release from the Delhi team.
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On the other hand, Shivam Dube has been a valuable asset for the CSK, contributing over 400 runs in the IPL 2023 and playing a pivotal role in securing the team’s fifth IPL championship. Besides his batting, Dube has also been handy with the ball. The left-hander last represented India in a T20I series against Afghanistan, where his all-around capabilities earned him the Player of the Series title.
No Shivam Dube for Mumbai's Ranji Trophy quarterfinal clash
Dube is also set to be absent from Mumbai's quarterfinal match in the current Ranji Trophy season. The team, which has won the Ranji Trophy 41 times, is set to compete against Baroda in the quarterfinals starting February 23, playing at their home ground. Dube's absence poses a significant challenge for Ajinkya Rahane's squad, as the all-rounder had been displaying remarkable form throughout the tournament. Over six innings in this season's Ranji Trophy, Dube hit two centuries and two fifties, including a rapid 87-ball century against Assam and a 117-run performance off 130 balls, enhancing his batting profile.
On the bowling front, Dube made substantial contributions to the Mumbai team, delivering 67 overs and claiming 12 wickets with an impressive average of 12.08.
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