India have always fancied a seam-bowling all-rounder and Shivam Dube is the latest addition to the list. Dube’s back-lift and strides could remind you of a young Yuvraj Singh. The former all-rounder was instrumental in India lifting two World Cups.
Shivam Dube (Credits: Twitter)
Dube is in the frame as Hardik Pandya is recovering from a severe back injury that forced him out of the squad. Unlike Pandya, Dube can’t clock the 140 kmph mark at will. He was recently at the wrong end as Tim Seifert and Ross Taylor belted the youngster for 34 runs in an over in a T20I game.
Yuvraj Singh on young Shivam Dube
Yuvraj, who smacked 36 runs off a Stuart Broad over back in 2007, feels Dube needs to be handled with care. According to Yuvraj, India should be patient with the youngster.
“Shivam Dube I think is a good talent, but you have to give him time,” Yuvraj told Sport360 during the Expo 2020 Dubai cricket final.
Yuvraj Singh (Credits: Twitter)
He also went on to say that there are clouds hovering over Pandya’s fitness. Like many, Yuvraj isn’t sure whether the 26-year-old Pandya would be able to bowl with the same pace.
“Hardik is coming back from a back injury, and bowling fast after a back injury is going to be tough. So I don’t know how Hardik will turn out.
Yuvraj Singh. Credits: AP
In 13 T20Is, Dube has mostly batted in the middle-order and has hit 105 runs. With the bowl, the cricketer has picked mere five wickets at a costly economy.
“Looking at Dube, you have to give the guy a bit of time and we will see in the future who comes out with the consistent performances.”
Virat Kohli and Co. are currently playing in the ODI series against New Zealand. Having wrapped up the T20Is 5-0, the visitors were in for a setback. The hosts chased down a daunting target of 348 quite comfortably in the One-day opener. The sides will now meet in Auckland for the second ODI on February 8.
