With the ICC T20 World Cup on the horizon, the competition for a place in India’s 15-player squad is intensifying. Shivam Dube’s impressive batting displays have garnered attention, leading to calls from cricket experts for his inclusion in the World Cup squad.
Shivam Dube’s explosive innings of 45 runs off 24 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on a slow pitch highlighted his ability to hit powerfully. His performance, combined with his overall record in IPL 2024 – 148 runs at a strike rate exceeding 160, has impressed cricket analysts.
Shivam Dube Puts ‘Pressure On’ Suryakumar, Hardik, Rishabh For T20 World Cup 2024 Selection
Cricket legends Yuvraj Singh and Virender Sehwag have endorsed Shivam Dube for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Yuvraj hailed Dube as a “game-changer” and a necessary addition to the squad, while Sehwag pointed out Dube’s consistent IPL performances, suggesting they put pressure on established middle-order batsmen like Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant.
“I said before the match that the way Shivam Dube has been playing, his ticket should be confirmed for the T20 World Cup. He has put a lot of pressure on players like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul and now they have to score consistent runs to make the World Cup squad. Take the players who are in-form,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull emphasized the slow and spin-friendly Caribbean pitches, the co-hosts for the T20 World Cup, indicating that these conditions would favor Shivam Dube’s batting style. However, Doull raised concerns about Dube’s limited bowling opportunities with the Chennai Super Kings, suggesting it could be a potential issue.
English cricket legend Michael Vaughan has urged the selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, to make a “brave” choice for the T20 World Cup squad. He proposed considering lesser-known players in top form, such as Shivam Dube, rather than solely relying on established names.
“This is where Ajit Agarkar can be brave. Whoever he picks, it will be a formidable team. I think it is the right time to be brave and pick a not-so-well-known names,” the former England captain said.
Shivam Dube’s potential inclusion poses a dilemma for selectors. While his recent batting form is impressive, his limited bowling opportunities in the IPL may raise concerns about his overall contribution. The selection committee must carefully evaluate the pros and cons before making their final decision.
