'Shivam Dube shut Kevin Pietersen up': MS Dhoni's ex-teammate drops bold verdict on concussion sub drama
Published - 04 Feb 2025, 02:38 PM | Updated - 04 Feb 2025, 02:39 PM
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Former India National Cricket Team cricketer Robin Uthappa lauded Shivam Dube for his heroics with the ball in the fifth T20I against the England National Cricket Team. He said that the all-rounder shut Kevin Pietersen with the wicket on the first ball of his spell.
India National Cricket Team all-rounder Shivam Dube has been in the talks since the last two T20Is of the series against the England National Cricket Team. This is because he faced concussion in the fourth T20I and was replaced by Harshit Rana in the second innings.
Shivam Dube faced concussion in the fourth T20I and was replaced by Harshit Rana in the second innings
It didn't go well with many as England experts who believed that it wasn't a like-to-like replacement, and India played with the 12 players. Harshit Rana made his debut and tilted the game in his team's favor to hand Jos Buttler-led side their third loss in the series.
Harshit Rana picked three wickets with the ball, and after that, former England National Cricket Team players expressed their disappointment. Kevin Pietersen, in particular, pointed out that Harshit Rana was far superior to Shivam Dube as a bowler, adding that the all-rounder doesn't bowl regularly.
However, Shivam Dube replied to all the critics in style after he picked two wickets in the fifth T20I. The all-rounder picked a wicket on the first ball that he bowled and ended up winning the match for his team. India National Cricket Team won the match by 150 runs and sealed the series by 4-1.
Kevin Pietersen wanted to see him bowl, but Shivam Dube shut him up with a wicket off the first delivery - Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa mentioned that Shivam Dube shut Kevin Pietersen up with his bowling. He also shared his take on the concussion substitute law, saying that there was a loophole that Team India utilized. Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel, he explained:
“I think it was contentious, and Kevin Pietersen wanted to see him bowl, but Shivam Dube shut him up with a wicket off the first delivery. However, it was contentious, and there needs to be absolute clarity as far as the law is concerned, and ICC should take care of it.”
"On concussion substitute, I think there was a loophole which Team India utilized. Obviously, there was approval from the match referee. In the last match, Shivam Dube also picked up two wickets. He’s a proper all-rounder, though he bowls 20-25 kmph less than Harshit, but still a pretty decent effective bowler."
He added that once there is clarity related to law then others won't be able to make use of it. He added:
"It’s not clear in the law exactly what should happen. India used the loophole. Whether it’s fair or unfair, I think the law needs more clarity. Once there is clarity, then I don’t think these things will happen."
I think his batting would shine as time goes on - Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa also talked about Sanju Samson's poor outing in the series. He admitted that the batter had a technical flaw but pointed out that he did well to correct it in the last game. He elaborated:
"I think in this series Sanju Samson’s form dipped but in the last T20I, he addressed some issues to an extent. In the middle of a series, it’s tough to address a tactical aspect. He got out playing pull shot in the last as well but it was good to see that he was coming inside the line [of the ball]. If he pays attention to it, I think his batting would shine as time goes on.”
