Defending champions Chennai Super Kings are facing an injury scare. Indian all-rounder Shivam Dube has suffered a bilateral side strain injury that could keep him out for nearly eight weeks. For now, he is only missing the Ranji Trophy knockouts. However, if the injury is serious, Shivam Dube could miss the first half of IPL 2024 or the entire tournament which starts on March 22.
“We are keeping a tab on the situation. Not sure yet how serious the injury is or how long he would be out for. We will know in a few days. All we know that, he will report to the NCA,” a CSK official told InsideSport.
No Shivam Dube in Mumbai’s Ranji QFs
TOI reported that Dube would miss Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy knockouts. He suffered the injury while batting against Assam in the last league match where he scored an unbeaten 121.
“Dube has a bilateral side strain injury, and is likely to be out of the rest of the Ranji Trophy season. He suffered the injury while batting during the last match against Assam, and didn’t come out to field in Assam’s second innings at BKC. He has a grade one tear,” a source said.
A Grade I side strain inuury takes at least 4-6 weeks to recover. And that puts him in doubt at least for the start of IPL 2024. It may take longer depending on the follow-up scans and recovery.
Latest on IPL 2024
Shivam Dube has been in grand form in Ranji Trophy 2024, scoring 407 runs in just five matches at an average of 67.83. He has also picked up 12 wickets. Add runs for India and IPL 2023 to his tally, Dube could be a big miss.
In IPL 2023, Shivam Dube became a CSK regular, scoring 418 runs at an average of 38.00 and a strike rate of 158.33.