Former India spinner R Ashwin claimed that Shivam Dube should not be a choice for the all-rounder slot at the 2027 World Cup. His comments came after the first ODI between England and India, where India sealed a six-wicket victory. In the absence of Hardik Pandya and Nitish Kumar Reddy due to injury, Dube was included in the ODI squad. He even bowled six overs in the first game and returned figures of 1/27 as well. Ashwin added that India would be in some trouble if they were considering Dube as an option for the all-rounder slot at the World Cup as well.
“If I am being very honest, if Shivam Dube is a contender, then we are in a spot of bother. The first choice will always be Hardik, second Nitish Kumar Reddy. They also used Suryansh Shedge a bit for an option. I liked what they did with Dube. Go to him if Hardik and Nitish are injured. I loved him getting six overs and the way they utilised him. But he will be the last fancied choice for that all-rounder slot in ODIs,” he said on ‘Ash ki Baat’.
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“Sundar has batted well and he always does. He has that class. All said. But if he wants to play in the ODI side, he will have to bat within the top five. He is not a great power hitter who can bat at seven. If someone has to bat at seven, he also needs to bowl ten overs. That is why Axar is a fancied number seven. You have to play Sundar at five. So you play KL Rahul at six. Tomorrow, if Hardik is back, he slots in at six, then KL goes to five and Sundar will not have a place. Even in that case, if you want a replacement for Axar, it has to be a left-arm spinner who can bat at seven. So I hope Sundar is given chances where he will actually be used. Play him at seven and see how he bats there. That is where role clarity and definition are slightly missing,” he again shared.
Meanwhile, R Ashwin applauded young Indian pacer Gurnoor Brar. The right-arm pace bowler was a part of the playing XI in the first ODI against England as well.
“Gurnoor has been very impressive. He is a tall bowler, too. This is his first tour, and he will be expensive, but he has it in him. He will be a real champion bowler for India, not only in this format, but he can do well in red-ball cricket as well. I hope we can look after him very well without injuries, as he can serve Indian cricket for a while,” he conlcuded.
