T20 World Cup 2024: Fight between Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh for a spot set to force selectors to drop...
Published - 29 Apr 2024, 03:57 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:10 AM
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce the squad in the coming days for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be played in the West Indies and USA. Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh are competing for a spot in the squad for this prestigious tournament.
Shivam Dube has been a standout performer for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2024. The left-handed batter has scored 350 runs in nine innings at an average of 58.33 and an outstanding strike rate of 172.41. However, he did not bowl a single delivery throughout the tournament.
Rinku Singh, on the other hand, has had a limited impact with the bat in the ongoing tournament. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter has scored 112 runs at an average of 22.40 and a strike rate of 157.75. However, he is expected to retain his place in the squad, considering his success with India.
Hardik Pandya's Bowling Could Be A Cause For Concern
As per an ESPNCricinfo report, the selectors might be concerned about Hardik Pandya's bowling fitness. The Mumbai Indians skipper needs to regain his bowling rhythm to secure his place in the XI with a month left for the World Cup.
"Hardik Pandya's bowling fitness could be a cause for concern for the selectors. When fully fit and in form, Hardik does what nobody else can in the country: bowl medium-pace and hit in the middle order. As such, he should be a certain starter, but he has been bowling only about two overs a match in the IPL and his pace has been down too. He still has a month to get into proper bowling rhythm and justify keeping Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh out of the XI,” the report in ESPNCricinfo read.
Pandya last played for India in an ODI World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh. He made his comeback during the IPL 2024 for the Mumbai team. However, he failed to make an impact with both the bat and the ball. He has scored 197 runs at an average of 24.63 and a strike rate of 151.54.
The 30-year-old pace has taken only four wickets at a dismal economy rate of 11.95. If Pandya secures his place in the final 15-member squad, there might not be much room for other all-rounders. Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh would face competition for the remaining slot in the playing XI. Notably, the selection of both Dube and Rinku in the 15-member squad will force selectors to keep a backup wicketkeeper-batter or a backup fast bowler out of the main squad.
"If India are to take both Dube and Rinku to the T20 World Cup, they will have to leave out either a back-up wicketkeeper or a back-up bowler. It will likely come down to a shootout between Rinku and a back-up fast bowler. It would have helped if one of the top four could bowl or keep wicket, but India are stuck with a top order that is one-dimensional,” the report added.
To accommodate Dube and Rinku, selectors must drop one or two from the top four. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are confirmed in the batting lineup. It's a tough call for selectors to decide on Yashasvi Jaiswal for the playing XI.
