IPL 2023: Shivam Dube reveals 'protein' secret behind his power-hitting prowess after swashbuckling knock against RCB

The Indian Premier League season 16 delivered another last-over thriller on Monday, April 17 as Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings locked horns at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After being put into bat first, Chennai posted a humongous total of 226/6 in the first innings courtesy of blistering knocks from Devon Conway (83 off 45), Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube (52 off 27).

Dube was especially seen at his destructive best as he smacked two fours and five sixes in his innings. He launched the ball into the stands time and again for fun as RCB bowlers ran out of answers. The Southpaw put his sheer brute strength on display as two of his sixes hit the roof of the stadium and one travelled a distance of 111 metres.

Revealing the secret behind his power after his breathtaking knock, the 29-year-old credited his father for giving him enough protein nourishment since his childhood.

"Since childhood, I have had this power. My dad has given me enough protein because he knows what is needed at this level," Dube said as quoted by India Today.

Dube was bought by CSK for a whopping INR 4 crore at the mega-auction held in 2022. The Mumbai-born batter has repaid the faith of the management with several blistering knocks. He once again enjoyed his time at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, the venue where he also scored his first IPL fifty.

"It was amazing for me, playing at this stadium, on this wicket and in front of this crowd. I mentioned it before that I back my strengths and that was what was needed today. Definitely, I believe it is not easy to stop me when I get going, that's what I believe and the team believes. The size of the ground and the wicket was good, and the freedom I got was something I enjoyed," he added.

Faf and Maxwell's heroic knocks 

Coming back to the match, RCB lost the big wicket of Virat Kohli in the very first over of their chase. However, Glenn Maxwell (76 off 36) and Faf du Plessis (62 off 33) took their team out of misery with their 126-run stand. At one stage, RCB required 36 off the last 20 balls with six wickets in hand and Dinesh Karthik and Shabaz Ahmed at the crease. 

However, the duo couldn't get the job done and the hosts eventually ended up losing the match by eight runs. Tushar Deshpande was the pick of the bowlers for CSK who picked up 3/45 in four overs. Devon Conway was adjudged Player of the Match for his electrifying knock of 83 off 45 balls.