Shivam Dube Bats his way into T20 World Cup contention? Here’s what Akash Chopra has to say
The excitement for the T20 World Cup is building and with it the speculation about who will make the final cut for the Indian team. One player who is getting a lot of interest is Shivam Dube, an effective all-rounder for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL.
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Shivam Dube has scored an incredible 350 runs in just 9 innings. That’s a lot of runs in a short space of time, and it’s not just the quantity that turns it over, it’s the way he scores them. Dube’s strike rate is a breathtaking 172.41, which means he scores in no time and keeps the stress on the opposition.
The left-hand batter’s exceptional batting has caught the attention of cricket experts. Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has great faith in Dube’s abilities and has been very vocal about his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. Chopra wants Shivam Dube in the team; he wishes he should be selected in the playing 11.
Shivam Dube – the six hitting machine. ⭐pic.twitter.com/ayLv5XTvY1
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) April 28, 2024
Here’s what Chopra mentioned on his YouTube channel: “The way the kid is playing, he is absolutely scintillating and sensational. I am saying that you shouldn’t only send him but play him in the XI.”
Chopra is clear: it would be a huge mistake for the selectors to forget Dube. He believes there is no other player in India at the moment who can hit the ball harder than Dube. Keeping him on the bench could be a big missed opportunity.
Another former Indian cricketer, Mohammad Kaif, has observed the extensive development of Dube recreation. Kaif acknowledges that every batsman has weaknesses, however, he is impressed with how Dube has addressed his own.
At time, Dube struggled with bouncers and short deliveries. However, Kaif points out that Dube has become much better in handling these conditions. He is now not at his most adept at hitting boundaries with effective pulls and sixes over extra cover.
Moreover, Kaif highlights Dube’s versatility and power of strokes and says, “He hit low full tosses for sixes. It is very difficult to do that. Batters even get out to low full tosses at times but he has the power, uses the long handle, doesn’t move his feet much, and attacks the ball with full power and targets the sight screen. When India will go to play the World Cup, you will need such a player.”
Will Dube prevail?
With the T20 World Cup around the corner, the pressure is on for the Indian selectors to pick the nicest possible team. Shivam Dube’s red-hot form in the IPL has certainly put him in contention. Whether he makes the final cut remains to be seen, but the 30-year-old has made a robust case with his powerful batting.
