IND vs AFG: "Why Didn't You Take Shivam Dube To South Africa?" - Aakash Chopra

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra commented on Shivam Dube‘s inclusion in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Aakash Chopra stated that the selection committee picked Shivam Dube as a replacement for the injured Hardik Pandya.

India will take on Afghanistan in the three-match series, with the first T20I scheduled to take place in Mohali on January 11. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled a 16-man squad on Sunday, excluding Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav.

Hardik Pandya is still recovering from the ankle injury sustained in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He is expected to return during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Shivam Dube, who missed out on selection for the South African series, has been included in the squad.

That’s Not Surprise For Me – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra suggested that Shivam Dube could have been utilized against Australia and South Africa. Chopra pointed out that Dube didn’t get an opportunity in the playing XI despite the team lacking a sixth bowling option.

“The Indian team have brought Shivam Dube back. That’s not a surprise for me because you probably need a replacement for Hardik Pandya, but I am thinking you needed that in South Africa as well,” Chopra said.

“You could have played him in one or two matches against Australia as well. You play with six batters and five bowlers. You don’t have a sixth bowling option but you don’t make a change. Dube was in the team for five matches in India but you didn’t play him in even one,” he added.

It Would Have Been The Best Chance To Play Shubman Gill – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out the absence of Washington Sundar from the playing XI during the South Africa series. Chopra emphasized that India stuck to the composition of six specialist batters and five frontline bowlers.

“You didn’t play Washington Sundar either. You persisted with that same six (batters) and five (bowlers) combination. If you wanted to change that, why didn’t you take Shivam Dube to South Africa? It would have been the best chance to play him in South African conditions,” Chopra added.

Then You Will Again Play Only Five Bowlers – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra noted that Shivam Dube could potentially feature against Afghanistan due to the limited seam-bowling options in the Indian squad. However, he emphasized the challenge of fitting Dube into the top six.

“Three fast bowlers are slightly less, so you might see Shivam Dube playing. However, the truth is that you will have either Shubman Gill or Yashasvi Jaiswal with Rohit Sharam, then Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, and Jitesh Sharma. Then you will again play only five bowlers.”

Tilak Varma might be dropped to accommodate Dube in the playing XI. Rinku Singh has solidified his position in the middle order through impressive batting performances. The wicketkeeping duties will be handled by either Jitesh Sharma or Sanju Samson.

Also read: IND vs AFG: “He Was Going As A Keeper But..” – Aakash Chopra Expresses Surprise At Ishan Kishan’s Absence