Rohan Gavaskar in awe of Shivam Dube: Team India clinched in yet another bilateral series, this time bulldozing Afghanistan in a three-match T20 series on their home ground, with one game still remaining, which is scheduled to be played on Wednesday. The absence of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav saw the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube were also handed the opportunity to gauge their capabilities ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
Dube has emerged as a standout performer for India in the ongoing T20I series between India and Afghanistan. Not only he has dazzled with back-to-back fifties across two matches but also impressed with his bowling. Dube's career has seen a significant transformation, particularly after his tenure with the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He has been playing a crucial role in the Indian squad as a middle-order powerhouse. The tall left-handed batsman has been thriving in this role.
Following his stellar 60 not out off 40 balls in the first T20I against Afghanistan, Dube displayed a fiery side to him with an impressive unbeaten 63 from just 32 balls in the second game in Indore.
Gavaskar bats for Shivam Dube
Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Rohan Gavaskar believes that Dube could maintain his position in the team even when Hardik Pandya returns to the squad.
During a conversation with Cricbuzz following the second T20I, Gavaskar said, "We have been talking about him as, 'Oh, listen, what if Hardik is unfit?', I think what he is doing is making sure that even if Hardik is fit, he is on that plane in that World Cup squad. If you put in performances like this, it is very hard for anyone to drop you. It is going to be a really tough decision for the selectors if they decide to drop him. He is doing all that he can, which is giving the selectors a headache."
Dube, who initially debuted in T20 in 2019, has made a successful return to the international stage, fueled by his consistent performances in the IPL.
“After these two games, I think he now feels that he belongs at the international level. He has got the appreciation and respect of his teammates because he put in two absolutely wonderful performances. I think he is just a lot more comfortable about his own game. He knows his own game better. He is not trying to copy anyone now. He is saying, This is what I can do and what I bring to the table,” Gavaskar concluded.
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