Shivam Dube’s T20 World Cup 2024 selection garnered mixed reactions from fans and experts. The discussion was mainly about his bowling which remained untested in the recently-concluded IPL 2024. Representing Chennai Super Kings, Dube mostly contributed with the bat scoring 396 runs, including three half-centuries, in 14 games. But he bowled just six balls in the entire season and picked one wicket.
Since the impact player rule denied him bowling opportunities, his purpose in India’s World Cup squad was highly questioned. However, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming has revealed how much the all-rounder has worked to sharpen his bowling skills behind the doors.
Speaking with ESPN Cricinfo, the former New Zealand captain compared Dube with legendary Kapil Dev, adding that the all-rounder can add value to the Indian side in the World Cup.
“If his bowling is the way he talks about, he is like Kapil Dev. He’s been working really hard. He worked hard through the IPL. We had a number of players who do that all-round role, and again, with the impact player role, it actually diminishes the role of an all-rounder or a part-time bowler who bats well, which is a bit of a shame,” Fleming said.
“But he’s been doing his bowling, he has had his loads up. He can be awkward in the right conditions, which you would say would be a little bit slow, which his cutters and change of pace could play a part, he can play a part. He can do a job and he’s worked very hard on it,” he added.
Dube has played 21 T20Is so far, scoring 276 runs and picking up 8 wickets with an economy rate of 9.86.
Dube proves his mettle in warm-ups
Amid all the talks about his bowling, Dube justified his selection in the warm-up fixture against Bangladesh in which he picked up two wickets on consecutive deliveries in the final over. He returned 2/13 and scored 14 runs as India posted 182 in 20 overs after opting to bat.
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