Shivam Dube, the rising star in India's T20 circuit?

0 0 0 183 0

Shivam Dube's candidacy as an all-rounder for the upcoming T20 World Cup is generating considerable buzz, with his explosive batting performances and evolving bowling skills capturing the attention of fans and pundits alike. His ability to clear the boundary with ease, often drawing comparisons to the legendary Yuvraj Singh, has made him a standout contender for the seam-bowling all-rounder's spot in India's T20 World Cup squad.

Dube's impact in the IPL 2023 is a testament to his batting prowess, particularly against spin bowlers. His remarkable tally of 22 sixes against spin, with an impressive strike rate, highlights his potential to be a game-changer in the middle overs. Notably, he played crucial roles for Chennai Super Kings at various batting positions, contributing significantly to their fifth IPL title.

Despite a lukewarm start to his international career in 2019, Dube has undergone a transformation under the guidance of MS Dhoni. His improvements in handling the short ball and playing percentage cricket against pace bowlers have added a new dimension to his batting. The recent T20I series against Afghanistan showcased his ability to play high-voltage innings, particularly against spinners.

While Dube's batting credentials are garnering praise, questions linger over his effectiveness as a bowler. His performances against Afghanistan, though promising, highlight the need for further development, especially in terms of generating pace and adding variations to his bowling repertoire. Former India batter WV Raman suggests that Dube's height could be an asset, and with the right variations, he could pose challenges for opposing batters.

While Dube's batting exploits are gaining recognition, his bowling remains a work in progress. In the T20 series against Afghanistan, he contributed with the ball, earning praise from head coach Rahul Dravid. Despite not generating high pace, Dube's variations, including the back-of-the-hand delivery and offcutter, have been noted positively by experts.