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Shivam Dube replaces Nitish Kumar Reddy: India National Cricket Team is currently playing the England National Cricket Team in England in a 5-match T20I series. The three-match ODI is scheduled next after the shorter format. India has already announced the squad for the upcoming ODI series but have made one change ahead of the series; Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the series.
In place of Nitish Kumar Reddy, Shivam Dube has been added to the ODI squad. This is a major boost for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder, as he was added to the team as a replacement for Nitish Kumar Reddy and will join the rest of the squad after the T20I series. Shivam Dube has been performing well for the side in the T20I format.
Shivam Dube added to ODI squad
Shivam Dube returns to the ODI squad after nearly two years. His last ODI appearance was on August 7, 2024, against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Dube has been a match-winner for the Men in Blue side in the T20I format and has also been bowling well in recent times. This has been one of the major boosts for the side in the shorter format.
Shivam Dube is a like-for-like replacement for Nitish Reddy, but the former's bowling has improved a lot, and he picks wickets in crucial moments for the side. The Southpaw has featured in four games for the national team, scoring just 43 runs, and has picked one wicket in four games with an economy of under 6.
Why Nitish Kumar Reddy is out of the ODI series?
Nitish Kumar Reddy is still recovering from his quadriceps injury sustained during the third Afghanistan ODI, and it is unclear when he will return to play. He missed the T20I series against Ireland and England, and now he will miss the full ODI series. This is a huge setback for the all-rounder.
Reddy has been in good form and was seen as a potential back-up for Hardik Pandya, as the former has been bowling at good pace during the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He was even seen taking the new ball and picking wickets in crucial matches as well.
Who will be Hardik Pandya's back-up for ODI World Cup 2027?
With Hardik Pandya currently out injured and Nitish Kumar Reddy also being ruled out, this is a huge opportunity for Dube to perform in the 50-over format and make a good headache for the selectors ahead of the ODI World Cup 2027.
If Dube performs in the ODI series, he might also be in contention for the squad for the ODI World Cup, and his hopes will also be alive. India are in desperate need of a back-up for Pandya due to his prolonged history of injuries. A left-hander in the middle will also help the side to balance the combination as well.
India squad for England ODIs: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (Vice-Captain), KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Shivam Dube.
