'You are a burden on the field': Badrinath on CSK's Shivam Dube amidst shoddy show in IPL 2026

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star Subramaniam Badrinath has launched a scathing attack on Shivam Dube following the team's narrow 10-run loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in their IPL 2026 clash. Chasing a challenging target of 195, CSK appeared to be in a strong position to secure a victory during the initial stages of their innings.

The tide turned shortly after the fall of the fourth wicket. When Sarfaraz Khan departed with the team at 112 runs inside the 11th over, the chase faltered significantly. The momentum dissipated as Dewald Brevis was dismissed for a duck, and Shivam Dube struggled to find his timing, managing only 21 runs from 16 deliveries. Ultimately, CSK failed to capitalize on their promising start, finishing on 184 and falling short of the required total.

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Badrinath's strong words for embattled Shivam Dube

Badrinath did not mince his words regarding the loss, pinning the blame squarely on Dube. Despite the batter's reputation for big-hitting, Badrinath highlighted his ongoing failure to perform to his established standards throughout the current Indian Premier League season. In a blunt assessment, the former cricketer went as far as to label Dube as "baggage" for the Chennai Super Kings.

"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", Badrinath said on his YouTube channel.

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Badrinath also stated that the demands of modern-day T20 cricket have evolved, necessitating a more aggressive approach from batters. He argues that players can no longer afford to be passive, even when facing high-quality deliveries. To succeed in the current landscape, he suggests that batters must be proactive, utilizing advanced footwork to manipulate the field and attack areas of the ground beyond their traditional hitting zones.

Gone are the times when you'll strike only if a bowler misses: Badrinath

This tactical requirement is central to Badrinath’s assessment of CSK, who currently languish in seventh place in the points table after six matches. To address the team's inconsistency, the former cricketer suggests that either Sanju Samson or captain Ruturaj Gaikwad must take responsibility for playing long, stabilizing innings. He believes this is essential to provide the necessary structure for the rest of the batting lineup to play around.

The call for greater stability is underscored by Gaikwad’s personal struggles at the crease throughout the 2026 season. Across his six outings so far, the captain has found it difficult to generate momentum, managing a batting average of just 13.66 while scoring at a strike rate of 112.32.

"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 added.