Asia Cup 2023: Gautam Gambhir Picks Shivam Dube As Hardik Pandya's Back Up, Says 'Because Of The Kind Of Form He Is In...'

Former India batsman, Gautam Gambhir said that Shivam Dube should have been included in the Asia Cup 2023 squad as Hardik Pandya’s replacement since the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) star all-rounder is currently in great form.

Shivam Dube is currently on the Ireland tour with the India squad, where the Men in Blues will play three T20I matches.

In the first T20I match on Friday (August 18), Dube delivered one over in the first inning and conceded six runs. In the second T20I match, Shivam Dube played a crucial 22-run knock from 16 balls which helped India to give a target of 186 runs.

In the second inning, the 30-year-old bowled for two overs and gave away 18 runs but failed to take any wickets.

While speaking on Star Sports, the former left-handed batsman said that Ajit Agarkar-led India chief selection committee should have included Shivam Dube in the 17-man Asia Cup 2023 squad as Hardik Pandya’s backup.

Gambhir also added that Dube is in great form currently and was the perfect backup player for Hardik Pandya.

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor said that Shardul Thakur cannot be Hardik Pandya’s replacement for which it is Shivam Dube.

“One name they (the select should have definitely considered is Shivam Dube because of the kind of form he is in. You need a backup for Hardik Pandya. Shardul Thakur can’t be that. Shardul Thakur cannot be Hardik’s backup,” Gautam Gambhir said.

Shivam Dube has struggled with the ball and also in the field: Sunil Joshi

However, former chairman of India selectors, Sunil Joshi disagreed with Gautam Gambhir regarding Shivam Dube as a backup player since the CSK star all-rounder has been performing in the 20-over format and not in the ODI cricket and that too in a different tournament.

Sunil Joshi further added that the 30-year-old has struggled with the ball as well as in the field, and that is why the player cannot be the backup player of the Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper.

“No, I don’t think so. We have seen Shivam Dube. He would’ve been scoring in T20s but this is entirely format and a different tournament. With due respect to Gautam, this is my view. Shivam Dube has struggled with the ball and also in the field,” Sunil Joshi. said.

India will play their first match in the Asia Cup 2023 against Pakistan on Saturday (September 2nd) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka.