Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has applauded Shivam Dube for his performance in the ongoing IPL 2024. He also made a huge statement on Dube’s chances in the Indian squad for the T20 WC 2024. Taking to his YouTube channel, he claimed that one just cannot dislike Dube. Moreover, he praised the six-hitting abilities also. He also stated that no Indian batter can smash boundaries at will like him against both pacers and spinners.
“Shivam Dube – how will you not like this player? The way this player is playing, the way he is showing his power and hitting sixes, name an Indian striker who is hitting sixes more consistently than him against both pace and spin. As soon as he comes, the spinners’ overs end. His reputation reaches before him, that he hits a lot, so you shouldn’t take a risk with him, and you will bowl all fast bowlers. He hit the fast bowlers also wholeheartedly. He didn’t spare anyone apart from (Jasprit) Bumrah. Send him to the West Indies now. The consulate is next to my home. Give me your passport, I will apply for your visa,” the former India opener added.
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Shivam Dube scored an unbeaten 66* (38) in the match against Mumbai Indians, which included 10 fours and two sixes. His knock and Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 69 (40) helped CSK post a decent total alongside MS Dhoni’s end onslaught as well. However, Dube has been in sublime form as a batter in the ongoing league as well. In six innings in IPL 2024, he has 242 runs at a batting average of 60.50 at a batting strike rate of 163.51 including a couple of fifties as well. The veteran has also praised the young CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad.
“Ruturaj is a serious player, there is no doubt about that. He was backing away while batting this time. He adopted an aggressive approach right from the start. He had the idea that they wouldn’t be able to win this match if they didn’t score 200 because RCB made 196 and they were chased in 15-16 overs. More than 200 runs were scored only because MS Dhoni came in front of Hardik Pandya in the 20th over. After that, the man, the myth, the Mahi. He arrived and hit sixes one after the other. He was absolutely outstanding. Mahi was hitting, is hitting, and it seems like he will keep hitting,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
