With the T20 World Cup 2024 kicking off today, all eyes are on Team India‘s playing XI for their opening match against Ireland. A key question mark surrounds the inclusion of two seam-bowling all-rounders – Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.
Dube’s Bowling Prospects: A Glimpse from the Nets
While the final team selection remains undisclosed, Shivam Dube has revealed a conversation with head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma regarding his bowling role. Notably, Dube hasn’t bowled extensively in recent times, limited to a single over in the IPL 2024 due to the Impact Player rule. Despite this, his batting prowess secured him a spot in India’s World Cup squad.
Speaking to Star Sports, Dube highlighted the importance of making the most of his limited IPL bowling opportunity. “Even though I only bowled one over in the IPL, it turned out well as I got a wicket. I focused on improvement in the nets, and it paid off when I finally got a chance,” he stated.
Dravid and Sharma’s Message: Embracing the All-rounder Role
Dube then delved into his discussions with the team management during the T20I series against Afghanistan. “Both Rahul bhai [Dravid] and Rohit bhai [Sharma] indicated that I might be called upon to bowl 2-3 overs at any point, so I need to be prepared,” he revealed. “Rahul sir also encouraged me to express myself freely during the Afghanistan series as they were looking to assess my all-rounder capabilities. They gave me the freedom to showcase my skills, and Rohit bhai also mentioned I’d get opportunities to both bat and bowl. The Afghanistan series was a great chance for me, and I believe I capitalized on it.”
It’s worth noting that Shivam Dube did bowl in India’s sole T20 World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh on June 1st. He impressed by picking up two wickets while conceding just 13 runs in his three overs. This performance could bolster his case for inclusion in the playing XI against Ireland.
With the World Cup underway, the selection dilemma regarding the all-rounder position intensifies. While Hardik Pandya’s experience is undeniable, Shivam Dube’s recent form and bowling capabilities offer an intriguing alternative. The team management’s decision on including both all-rounders or opting for a single option will be a crucial factor in India’s opening match and potentially their overall World Cup campaign.
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