India all-rounder Shivam Dube was on verge of being traded to some other franchise by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) but his form in domestic cricket forced the team management to change its mind, and Dube will now continue to play for the Virat Kohli-led team.
As per a report in Mumbai Mirror, RCB were in talks with a North Indian franchie to trade the all-rounder. The talks were on and Dube also got involved as he is entitled to get the negotiated amount. Later, the franchise changed its mind and instead, decided to release Dube before the auction.
Though an India call-up and his form for India A and Mumbai have forced RCB’s team management to retain him. Dube is set to be retained. It is to be noted that if RCB even think to release him, there are chances that Dube might even end up as the biggest draw in the auction.
Last year, the 26-year-old was bought by RCB for an amount of Rs 5 Crore. He got just four matches in the initial stage of the league and was later kept out of playing XI. Next year, the things could be totally dfferent and Dube will surely get more chances as compared to IPL 2018.
He loks set to make his India debut on November 3 against Bangladesh. Coming in for an injured Hardik Pandya, Dube pipped Vijay Shamar for a place in the squad. A big hitter of the ball, Dube would be given all the matches as India do not have a pace-bowling all-rounder in the squad.
As the team management has said, a long rope will be given to all the players who are in the scheme of things.
While Dube has been retained, there are chances that the franchise might release Tim Southee and Shimron Hetmyer. The Kiwi pacer went for 118 runs in nine overs he bowled across three matches while Hetmyer, who was out for Rs 4.2 Crores, only came good in the dead rubber against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The auction for next season of IPL takes place on December 19 in Kolkata.