From Paan Thela to IPL: Nagpur's Shubham Dubey gets nearly Rs 6 crore bid from Rajasthan Royals

In a remarkable turn of fortune, Shubham Dubey, who struggled financially just a decade ago, is now set to receive a hefty sum of Rs 5.80 crore from the Rajasthan Royals for the upcoming 2024 IPL season. A resident of Kamal Square in Nagpur, Dubey's family once struggled to make ends meet with his father's income from a paan thela. However, the talented batter's outstanding performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) has now earned him a substantial contract.

Dubey, expressing his astonishment, remarked, "It's an unreal feeling. I did well in the SMAT, so I was hopeful of being picked in the auction. Frankly, though, I was not expecting such a big amount." His gratitude extended to the numerous well-wishers who gathered at the Dubey family residence on Tuesday evening.

The statistics from Dubey's recent performances in SMAT speak volumes about his talent. Scoring 222 runs in seven matches at a remarkable strike rate of 187.28 and an astonishing average of 73.76, Dubey showcased his big-hitting prowess with 10 fours and 18 sixes. Notably, he achieved the joint fastest T20 fifty for Vidarbha, taking just 18 balls against Bengal, finishing unbeaten on 58 (20b;3x4;6x6) at a staggering strike rate of 290.

In his moment of fame, Dubey acknowledged his humble beginnings and the individuals who supported him during challenging times. Remembering his mentor, the late Sudeep Jaiswal, Dubey stated, "Our financial condition was really bad at that time. Sudip sir helped me a lot. Without his support, I wouldn't have achieved anything in my life."

Jaiswal, a lawyer, played a crucial role in helping financially struggling but talented players through his club, Advocate XI. Despite succumbing to Covid in 2021 at the age of 53, Jaiswal's impact on Dubey's life is immeasurable. Dubey also expressed gratitude to his childhood coach, Rohit Kesarwar.

Commenting on Dubey's selection, Rajasthan Royals' Romi Bhinder mentioned that Dubey had been on the franchise's radar for a couple of years. "He visited Rajasthan Royals' academy in Talegaon along with his present mentor Irfan Razzak a couple of times. He has loads of talent. It's good to see players getting good rewards for their hard work thanks to the IPL," Bhinder told TOI.

(Inputs from TOI)