Former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar has backed Shivam Dube as India’s first-choice all-rounder for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. Team India will travel to New Zealand for a multi-format tour, which starts with a five-match T20I series. Shivam Dube is part of the 16-member squad for the series, where India have two pace-bowling all-rounders, with the other being Nitish Kumar Reddy as well.

“Dube has to be the first choice. There is more trust that Dube has done it for India. Unfortunately, Nitish has bowled well in T20 for SRH, but for India he has not been able to do that. We have seen Dube bowl the last over as well. Because that trust is there. Also, with the power and the number at which he bats, he suits the team better right now,” he said on Star Sports’ show ‘Out or Not Out’.

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On the same show, former India batter turned commentator Cheteshwar Pujara shared a different opinion. He also backed Nitish Kumar Reddy as the first-choice allrounder over Shivam Dube. Pujara also added that Dube was a good batter who could help with a few overs and considered Reddy a better bowler as well.

“I think no player can have a 100% fixed spot in T20, as you pick the team based on conditions. So if India needs a bowling all-rounder, that can be Nitish Kumar Reddy, as his bowling is better than Dube. Dube is a good batter who can give you an over or two. But if you need a bowler first, then it is Reddy,” he cocnluded.