End of road for Hardik Pandya? Suresh Raina reveals his pick for finisher's role in Indian team for T20 World Cup

The race for the finisher's spot in the Indian team for the forthcoming T20 World Cup is heating up. Not very long ago, Hardik Pandya was the front-runner to be the main finisher of the team.

However, things have changed now as Hardik Pandya has struggled to do well in the ongoing IPL 2024. His alarming dip in form has opened the gates for other players to be considered for the spot. As per reports, Hardik Pandya needs to deliver with the ball consistently to be in contention for the World Cup and is unlikely to find a spot in the team as a specialist batsman.

One of the players who is competing with Pandya for the finisher's role in the Indian team is Shivam Dube. While Pandya has struggled to get going in IPL 2024, Dube has looked impressed one and all with his power hitting in IPL 2024.

On Tuesday (April 23), he further enhanced his reputation by scoring a whirlwind half-century against Lucknow Super Giants at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The left-handed batsman smashed 66 runs from just 27 balls with the help of three fours and seven sixes. No bowler - spinner or pacer - was spared by Dube as he helped CSK post a big total after being asked to bat first.

Suresh Raina backs Shivam Dube for T20 World Cup:

While only time will tell whether Shivam Dube beats Hardik Pandya for a place in the World Cup squad or both get into the team, former India batsman Suresh Raina has urged the selectors to pick the former. As Dube took the LSG bowlers to the cleaners on Tuesday, Raina took to Twitter to state that the CSK star needs to be in the World Cup squad.

Tagging chief selector Ajit Agarkar, the former CSK star wrote: "World Cup loading for Shivam dube ! @imAagarkar bhai select karo please."

World Cup loading for Shivam dube ! @imAagarkar bhai select karo please 🇮🇳🙏 https://t.co/b7g0BxHRSp

— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) April 23, 2024

Meanwhile, Dube's heroics eventually went in vain as a stunning unbeaten century from Marcus Stoinis powered LSG to a famous win. Asked to bat first, CSK posted 210/4 in 20 overs thanks to an unbeaten century from their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad (108) and the 66-run knock from Dube. In reply, LSG chased down the total with three balls remaining.