Shivam Dube strictly told to become Hardik Pandya's competitor despite all-rounder’s rejection

Former India National Cricket Team leg-spinner Amit Mishra has lauded Shivam Dube and said that he has the ability to become a proper all-rounder for the team, just like Hardik Pandya.

Amit Mishra urged the Indian team to give more opportunities to Shivam Dube with the ball to ensure that he improves further and becomes a genuine all-rounder in T20I cricket.

Shivam Dube destroys the UAE

Dube is one of the most explosive batters in Indian cricket currently, but when he emerged onto the scene, he was looked at as a proper pace-bowling all-rounder

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However, over the years, he focused more on his batting and developed himself into a beast in T20 cricket. Also, with the introduction of the impact player rule in the IPL, he was no longer used as a bowler, which significantly affected his ability with the ball.

Dube mainly played as a specialist batter for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL over the last few years, but he has been asked to bowl a lot more by the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management.

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Shivam Dube showcased sheer dominance in India's Asia Cup opener against the UAE and delivered an amazing bowling performance at the Dubai International Stadium.

He bowled two overs, bagged three wickets, and gave away just four runs. India bowled out the UAE for 57 and won the game by 9 wickets.

Shivam Dube is a very good talent - Amit Mishra

Speaking after the match, the former leg-spinner Amit Mishra said that the bowling performance against the UAE would act as a morale booster for Dube. He said:

"Shivam Dube is a very good talent we have. Everyone knows he bats well, but even with the ball, yesterday he took three wickets. I feel that must have given him a big morale boost and a lot of confidence. I would like the Indian team to give him at least two or three overs whenever he gets a chance, because he could develop into a proper all-rounder for us, someone who can chip in with a couple of overs while also contributing with the bat.”

“We all know about his batting, and the fact that he is a left-hander adds another valuable option. So, in the coming time, he can become a fine all-rounder if we continue to back him. But yes, the most important thing is that he has to work a lot on his bowling, his pace, swing, length, control, and variations. Only then will he become a complete all-rounder for Team India, stay ahead in competition, and remain a reliable option for the side,” he added.

What I liked most about him was his wicket-taking mindset - Amit Mishra

Other than Shivam Dube, the left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav shone with the ball against the UAE and was named the Player of the Match for his heroics as he returned with unbelievable figures of 2.1-0-7-4.

Amit Mishra further lavished rich praise on Kuldeep Yadav for having a wicket-taking mindset. He elaborated:

“The way he (Kuldeep Yadav) bowled yesterday, taking four wickets, it was a fantastic match for him. He bowled with good line and length and smart variations. What I liked most about him was his wicket-taking mindset, which is very important for any spinner. A lot depends on how you think as a bowler.”

“Of course, you need to make small adjustments depending on the situation, especially in T20 matches, where you have to adapt your bowling according to the conditions. But his mindset and variations were excellent, and that’s why he picked up four wickets yesterday and had a really great game."