'India uncomfortable with Sanju Samson at No. 5...' - Shivam Dube given ultimatum ahead of Bangladesh clash

Former India opening batsman Aakash Chopra feels that the time has come for Shivam Dube to make his bat do the talking in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The Indian team led by Rohit Sharma will be taking on Najmul Hossain Shanto's Bangladesh in both teams' 2nd Super 8 match of the WC. It is a must-win game for the Bangla Tigers as they are coming to this match after losing their opening last game against Australia a couple of days ago.

For team India, another win will see them virtually enter the semi-finals for the second T20 WC edition in a row before they face bitter rivals Australia. But what's more important for the Indian team is the form of certain batters which include Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and middle-order batter Shivam Dube.

The top-order is currently heavily reliant on Rishabh Pant, therefore Kohli and Rohit have to hit their peak form. As for the middle-order, Shivam Dube's form is going to be very crucial. The left-hand batter has still not done anything special but he is expected to be backed by the team management for at least the game against Bangladesh later today.

Aakash Chopra says his wish is to see Shivam Dube score runs

While speaking in his latest YouTube video, Aakash Chopra expressed that he feels Shivam Dube will be given another chance. Chopra feels that Dube will play against Bangladesh as the Rahul Dravid-led team management wants him to take his opportunity.

Aakash Chopra also explained the reason behind the team management's wish to do so. Chopra stated that Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma might not be satisfied with Sanju Samson's role at number 5 and therefore it is mandatory for Shivam Dube to get some runs under his belt.

The former India batter also expressed his wish to see Shivam Dube get back in runs with the first being the wish to see Kohli and Rohit score big.

"Shivam Dube - I feel he will be given one more opportunity because the team is probably not comfortable with Sanju at No. 5. So you might still see Shivam playing there, but it's mandatory for Shivam to score runs. That's my second wishlist (the first being runs from Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma)," Chopra said via his latest YT video.

Chopra claims India require the free-flowing Shivam Dube

Aakash Chopra then said that all three of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Shivam Dube have no choice but to score runs against Bangladesh. That's because the Indian team would want to enter the semi-finals with a lot of confidence as currently there is no belief whatsoever.

For India to excel in the later stages, Aakash Chopra also feels that the Men in Blue require the free-flowing run-scorer that is Shivam Dube.

"Both openers and Shivam Dube scoring runs is extremely necessary because if they don't do that, they will go into the semi-final with zero confidence. The confidence is not being seen at all. You need that free-flowing Shivam Dube to be back, or else you might have to think of something," Aakash Chopra concluded.