Former India pacer Venkatesh Prasad is of the opinion that Shivam Dube should make the cut in India’s XI in the T20 World Cup 2024. Prasad didn’t mention Hardik Pandya, India’s premier seam-bowling all-rounder, in his batting order in his tweet while talking about India’s options for the mega tournament after the IPL 2024.
Shivam Dube has been in scintillating form since joining CSK in IPL 2022. Since last year, CSK unlocked the spin-hitting beast in Dube and he’s emerged as the best spin basher in the middle-overs in the IPL. Last year, Shivam Dube scored 418 runs at a strike rate of 158. And this year, in IPL 2024, he’s scored 148 runs in 4 innings at a strike rate of 160.
Apart from his explosive hitting against the spinners, Dube has improved his batting against pacers, too. And, not to forget, he could also bowl a couple of overs of handy medium pace.
Shivam Dube must be selected for his striking ability against spinners: Venkatesh Prasad
Considering this, Venkatesh Prasad strongly feels that Dube should be selected in India’s XI in the T20 World Cup, although that might come at the expense of either Hardik Pandya, Jaiswal, or Rinku Singh.
On the other hand, Hardik Pandya’s batting has taken a nosedive. Last season, he had a strike rate of 136 and it’s been 138 this season so far. Pandya has been far away from the batting monster that he was earlier.
Taking to Twitter, Prasad said, “Shivam Dube for his striking ability against spinners, Surya for being the best T20 international batter and Rinku Singh for his exceptional finishing ability. It will be great if India finds a way to have these 3 in the 11 in the T20 WC. With Virat and Rohit , this will leave spot for just a keeper batsman. Interesting to see how it pans out.”
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