Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Shivam Dube defended the team’s below-par total of 158 against Gujarat Titans. Both teams clashed against each other in the 37th league-stage game of the IPL 2026 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk. The game saw Titans skipper Shubman Gill win the toss and invite the Yellow Army to put the score on the board first. The Super Kings, who headed into the game on the back of a mammoth 103-run win over their favorite rivals, Mumbai Indians, got off to a disastrous start.

The hosts lost their three key players in the powerplay, and though their skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad stood firm till the end with his 60-ball 74, they could manage to post only 158 runs with the loss of seven wickets. Considering how the T20 tournament has become a batting-dominated league over the season, any score below 200 looks less, and is quite easy to chase. However, the CSK all-rounder, Shivam Dube, feels that it is one of the best scores at Cheapuk, considering its history and pitch.

“The first 10 overs, we did not have a good start, but after that we came to 159, amazing score. 159 is one of the best scores I feel over there. It's not easy with the fast bowler as well as with the spinner,” Dube said during the mid-innings break.

We wanted to us to bat at least till 15-16 overs: Shivam Dube on partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad

He also spoke about the 43-ball 59-run partnership with skipper Gaikwad. Dube asserted, “At that time, we wanted both of us to bat at least till 15-16 overs. That was more important. So that was the plan at that time to bat deep and try to get those boundaries in the middle. That was more important.”

Not only this, but the cricketer said that he is learning to play fast bowlers as well. Per Dube, “It's something I'm learning much from my side. I play fast bowlers. I try to dominate fast bowlers as well now.” Notably, CSK have won three of their seven games thus far, and two of their three games at ‘Anbu Den’.