Just two months are left before the commencement of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the US (United States) and the West Indies. All the team will now look to figure out their best 15-member squad for the marquee tournament, starting from June 01. As far as the Indian team is concerned, Aakash Chopra has his say on the inclusion of Shivam Dube in India’s T20 World Cup squad. He backs Shivam Dube’s batting ability in the middle order and wants Dube’s name in India’s T20 World Cup squad. We will talk about what Aakash Chopra has said about Shivam Dube in detail. So let’s start.
Aakash Chopra backs Shivam Dube for India’s T20 World Cup squad inclusion
A former India cricketer and current commentator, Aakash Chopra talked about the inclusion of hard-hitting all-rounder Shivam Dube in India’s T20 World Cup squad in the US and West Indies. Chopra was impressed with Dube’s explosive batting ability after watching his brilliant performance against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the IPL 2024.
In the 7th match, Shivam Dube scored 51 runs off just 23 balls with 2 fours and 5 sixes. His inning, along with Gaikwad and Rachin helps CSK (Chennai Super Kings) to post a massive total of 206 on the board in the first inning. CSK eventually won that game easily in the end by 63 runs. Shivam Dube becomes the player of the match for his knock.
While commentating on Jio Cinema, Aakash Chopra praised Dube’s power-hitting ability and wants his name in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Chopra talked about Dube’s ability to clear the boundaries effortlessly, especially in the crucial middle-order positions.
“I want to mention Ruturaj Gaikwad too. He batted smartly after getting another chance. But I’m focusing on Shivam Dube. He’s playing excellently. When he bats around positions 5 or 6, does anyone in India hit sixes better than him?” – Aakash Chopra said.
Chopra confident of Dube’s impact in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
Aakash Chopra said Team India needs a big hitter like Shivam Dube in the team. He stressed on the importance of a big hitter like Dube in any team. A former cricketer is confident that if Dube makes it to India’s T20 World Cup squad, he will make a huge impact.
“He consistently smashes sixes right from his spot on the field. Nobody matches his strength and consistency in hitting. He used to struggle with short balls, but not anymore. I don’t see any weaknesses currently. He should play in the T20 World Cup team.” – Chopra added.
Also, Chopra talked about the need for big hitters in the places where wickets are slow and the grounds are large. In places like Florida, New York, and the Caribbean, the pitches are on the slower side and the grounds are large too. Chopra feels that a big hitter like Shivam Dube could be included for those conditions. That’s why he wants Dube in India’s T20 World Cup squad.
What is so good in Shivam Dube?
We have seen in the last two years of IPL that Dube has been doing well in the middle order. His exceptional power-hitting ability makes him a valuable player in any team. Last year, he played a huge role in CSK’s success in IPL 2023. The team used him as an impact player in the middle order and the left-hander delivered as per the team’s expectations.
Nowadays, in T20s, teams don’t look to accelerate in the death overs. They look to go hard in the middle overs as well where the game can be controlled either way (with the bat and the ball). The all-rounder has all the skills to play that important role in those crucial overs. In the IPL 2024 as well, he played a knock of 34* runs off 28 balls against RCB, and 51 runs off 23 balls against GT. He failed to finish the game against DC yesterday. But he looks in good touch so far in the tournament.
Not just with the bat, he can bowl a few overs with the ball as well. In the absence of Hardik Pandya, team India has tried a few other all-rounders like Vijay Shankar, Shivam Dube, and Venkatesh Iyer. But Dube is the only potent all-rounder in the middle order. The other two are more of a top-order batters.
Although Dube’s bowling is not that good as compared to Pandya’s, he can be one of the options if the captain is looking for another bowling option. Dube could be a perfect all-round backup option for Pandya.
Conclusion
What do you think? Will Shivam Dube be on the flight to the US and West Indies in India’s T20 World Cup squad? It will also depend on how his form will be before the team’s selection. The BCCI has announced that India’s T20 World Cup squad will be announced in the last week of April. CSK will play its next game against SRH on April 05 in Hyderabad.
Let’s see how things panned out. Thank you for reading. Keep following us for the latest updates.
FAQs:-
1. What is the cut-off time for the ICC (International Cricket Council) to announce T20 WC 2024 squad?
Teams will have to announce their squad before May 01, 2024. Although teams can change players in the initial squad till May 25.
2. Will Team India go with reserve players in the T20 WC 2024?
Because the tournament will happen in the US and the Caribbean, Team India will go with some reserve players as well other than the 15-member squad, considering the logistics.
3. Against which teams will Team India play in the first stage?
Team India will play against Ireland, Pakistan, the US, and Canada in the first stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
