Veteran Indian cricketer Suresh Raina has lauded Shivam Dube’s stellar performance in the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan, suggesting that the power-hitting all-rounder has a strong chance of earning a spot in the T20 World Cup squad. Dube, filling in for the injured Hardik Pandya, has made a significant impact with back-to-back half-centuries and contributing with the ball.
With Hardik Pandya on the road to recovery from an ankle injury, Dube, considered as his backup, has showcased his ability to make crucial contributions. Suresh Raina believes that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has utilized Dube effectively, and his current form could earn him a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
“Absolutely, if Hardik Pandya is fit, Shivam Dube can also bat. Rohit Sharma is using him well. The IPL form will be very important. As a captain or selector, I will take in-form players, who will score runs in the two months of the IPL, which will be played in different cities,” Suresh Raina stated in an interview with Jio Cinema.
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Suresh Raina, a key figure in India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team, emphasized that Rohit Sharma values in-form players and highlighted Dube’s consistent performances in the IPL. Both Rohit Sharma and IPL team captain MS Dhoni have expressed confidence in Dube, underlining his potential selection.
“This is India’s team. This is captain Rohit Sharma’s team. Rohit Sharma will definitely want in-form players, and Dube has impressed a lot – not only now, but even in the entire IPL. He impressed a captain like MS Dhoni, who gave him the confidence, and Rohit Sharma has given him the same confidence,” added Suresh Raina.
Discussing Dube’s power-hitting prowess, Suresh Raina pointed out the batsman’s impressive bat swing, allowing him to hit the ball out of the ground. He highlighted Dube’s positive intent and full drive, emphasizing that such an approach contributes to generating more power.
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“It’s because of the bat swing. He plays the full drive. He knows that if he middles it, he will hit the ball out of the ground. He has practiced like that. When you have positive intent in your mind, both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube believe in the full drive more than the check drive,” explained Suresh Raina.
The former Indian all-rounder concluded by emphasizing that playing the full drive enables the batter to generate power, showcasing the team’s strength in fearless batting.
