Former India cricketer Suresh Raina believes that Shivam Dube will be a crucial asset, or even an x-factor, for the Indian cricket team in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Raina’s confidence in Dube stems from his exceptional batting form during India’s T20I series against Afghanistan in January and his performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.
Suresh Raina ” Shivam Dube has to play in the World Cup.See,the ability to stand still while hitting those big sixes is very rare.He can be the x-factor to win the WC. So Rohit has to play Virat Kohli up the top,If the situation arises,Dube can also bowl”pic.twitter.com/zeDxuYP1xg
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) May 31, 2024
Shivam Dube: The All-Rounder For India At T20 World Cup 2024
According to Raina, Dube is an essential inclusion in India’s playing eleven for the World Cup. Since the BCCI announced the World Cup squad, the 30-year-old Dube has attracted significant attention regarding his potential role in the team.
“He has to play in the World Cup. See, the ability to stand still while hitting those big sixes is very rare. Shivam Dube can be the x-factor for India to win the World Cup. So Rohit will have to take the call whether he wants to play Virat (Kohli) up the top, but then Yashasvi is also batting with a different kind of flair. If the situation arises, Shivam can also bowl for the side,” Raina said.
Dube showcased his remarkable batting skills during the Afghanistan series, earning the man of the series title by scoring a total of 124 runs in two matches and taking two crucial wickets. His performances included a 60-run innings off 40 balls at the PCA Stadium in Mohali and an unbeaten 63 off just 32 balls, contributing significantly to India’s series victory. Continuing his impressive form, Dube scored 396 runs in 14 matches for CSK in IPL 2024. His consistent explosive batting has only increased the anticipation for his impact in the Indian batting lineup.
At the launch ceremony of the World Championship of Leagues, Raina highlighted how Dube’s aggressive batting approach could be a game-changer for India during the World Cup. With other big hitters like Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant also in India’s squad, it will be interesting to see how Dube is ultimately utilized in the playing eleven.
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