Not In The Team To Replace Hardik Pandya, Says Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube did not really set the stage on fire in his first series for India. He earned his maiden call-up from the national team for the three-match T20I series against Bangladesh after earning a reputation as a hard-hitting batsman. However, the left-handed batsman, who had hit five consecutive sixes in the last edition of the Ranji Trophy, did not really made his mark with the bat.
India backed him completely by including him in the playing eleven for all the three games. Shivam Dube, in return, did not really repay the faith. He scored just 1 run in the first game and went wicketless with the ball. In the following game, he did not get a chance to bat and failed to pick up any wicket once again. But in the third and final game, he did show what he can bring to the table.
After scoring an unbeaten 9, Shivam Dube made a big mark with the ball and picked up three wickets, helping India win the match and seal the series 2-1. Perhaps that performance helped him retain his place in the squad for the upcoming series against West Indies, starting December 6 in Hyderabad. With Hardik Pandya sidelined with an injury, the Mumbai star is looking set to find a place in the playing once again.
No rivalry with Pandya:
Shivam Dube is being widely seen as the player who can challenge Hardik Pandya’s place in the Indian team. However, the young allrounder has a different opinion. Speaking ahead of the first T20I, Dube said that he is not treating the series as an opportunity to replace Pandya and is just focussed on doing well for the nation.
“I don’t think it’s an opportunity to replace Hardik but I think I have got a chance and I will try to do well for my country. I have got a job for my country and I will try to do that better,” Dube said.
“Everyone is supporting me. The support from the captain and the team management was really good for me. They gave me a lot of confidence. So, I feel really happy and relaxed in the dressing room,” Dube added.
