Shivam Dube's Journey from Chubby Kid to International Star When India takes the field against England in the T20 World Cup semi-final, the sea of blue will roar for the superstars. But beneath the spotlight, a quiet figure embodies Mumbai’s cricketing grit. For locals, this clash is more than a match—it’s a homecoming for Shivam Dube, a player whose journey from a chubby, unfit child to an international cricketer is a testament to raw power and relentless support. To understand Dube, one must strip away the India jersey and the Chennai Super Kings colors. His story begins at the Hansraj Morarji Public School in Andheri, where a 13-year-old Shivam was far from a prodigy. “His fitness level was very poor,” recalls Nilesh Bhosle, his childhood coach. “He was just a chubby kid who kept eating. An innocent boy who struggled to run even a single round.” Despite his struggles, his raw power was evident. Coaches instructed faster runners to sacrifice runs to keep him at the crease, knowing that surviving 30 deliveries would almost guarantee a quickfire 40–50 runs. Dube’s rise wasn’t just about talent—it required a father’s sacrifice. Rajesh Dube, a dairy industry businessman, abandoned his livelihood to support his son’s career. He spent days at the ground, even building a personal turf beneath their home. His dedication came at a cost: the business suffered catastrophic losses. “There was a time when it felt like he was questioning the purpose of his life,” Bhosle says. “Rajesh bhai’s attitude was simply, ‘Whatever happens, Shivam must play for India.’” Dube’s unconventional path made his success even more remarkable. Without under-19 or under-23 safety nets, he faced back injuries that nearly ended his career but propelled him into senior cricket.#mumbai #shivam_dube #chennai_super_kings #rajesh_dube #nilesh_bhosle
