Dube earned a call-up for the T20 World Cup on the back of his fine batting form for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) during IPL 2024; however, he hasn’t yet succeeded in replicating that in this tournament.
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It was Dube’s ability to hit spinners for sixes in the middle overs during the IPL that impressed Rohit Sharma and the BCCI selectors to include him in the 15-member squad, while keeping the likes of Shubman Gill and Rinku Singh among the reserves.
But in four innings so far in this World Cup, Dube has scored just 44 runs, with a highest of 31 not out against USA. Add to that Rohit’s reluctance in using him as a bowler, and it gives more reasons for him to be replaced.
Dube has so far been asked by Rohit to bowl just one over, which he delivered in the match against USA and conceded 11 runs. Interestingly, in IPL 2024 as well he bowled just one over.
If India decide to drop him, middle-order batsman Samson fits the bill more than Jaiswal unless Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid decide to bring Kohli back to No. 3 and draft Jaiswal in to open with the skipper.
Both Samson and Jaiswal have so far warmed the bench in this T20 World Cup, while the team management decided to push Kohli up a spot to partner Rohit as opener. The move, however, hasn’t worked, with Kohli’s four innings in the tournament so far reading 1, 4, 0 and 24.
“I would love to see Yashasvi Jaiswal getting a look in and opening with Rohit, with Virat at number three,” said India pacer S Sreesanth on Star Sports.
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“The player who might miss out will be Shivam Dube. I have been telling this from day one of the World Cup, much before it started, if Dube is not bowling his one or two overs, then either it should be Samson in the middle, who can change the game, or it should be Jaiswal opening the batting and Virat at number three,” he added.
The other thought is that with Bangladesh inclined to us a spin-heavy bowling unit, India might give Dube one more game to show his batting skills; but that line of thought can also be debated because Samson too is a good player against spin.
A lot to ponder for Rohit and Dravid.
