Former India player Suresh Raina said Shivam Dube could be the Player of the Tournament in this year’s T20 World Cup if he fares well in IPL 2024. However, Dube gave an impressive all-round performance in India’s six-wicket win in the first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali on Thursday, January 11. He returned figures of 1/9 in two overs and scored an unbeaten 60 off 40 balls as Team India chased down a 159-run target with six wickets and 15 deliveries in hand.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Raina said: “A lot of eyes will be on Shivam Dube in this IPL about how MS Dhoni uses him in Chennai. If he does well in the two months of the IPL, don’t be surprised if he is the Man of the Tournament in the World Cup.”
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The former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player also stated that MS Dhoni might be tempted to use the all-rounder with the ball in IPL 2024. However, Dube didn’t get to bowl at all in IPL 2023 and it needs to be seen if he gets to bowl this year as the Impact Player rule and the plethora of bowling options in the CSK lineup are available.
He said: “Since he is bowling, the captain could get a thought whether he can bowl two overs or if he can be used as a floater. He can bat anywhere from No. 4 to No. 7. When the matches will be played on the Caribbean or American wickets, he has a good slower one as well.”
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“He picked up a wicket and when he got to bat, we saw the form. He spent a little time. The way he is showing form, he did well in first-class cricket also recently, when your self-confidence is high, make as many runs as possible,” Suresh Raina concluded. “He has the passion and self-confidence. The attacking cricket he plays, we need a left-hander like that who can play in the top six. I feel Shivam Dube will get the ticket for the World Cup.”
