Shivam Dube replaces Hardik Pandya in India's T20 World Cup squad

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Shivam Dube has captured the selectors' attention with his impressive batting performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. According to the latest reports, the selectors are interested in including Shivam Dube in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

Shivam Dube has emerged as the standout performer for the Super Kings in the ongoing season of the IPL. The left-handed batter has continued his rich vein of form from the previous season. Dube has amassed 242 runs in six innings at an impressive average of 60.50 and a strike rate of 163.51.

Shivam Dube Yet To Bowl In IPL 2024 Season

The southpaw, previously designated as 'spin hitter,' has now improved his game against pacers, showcasing a more well-rounded skill set. His consistent performances have positioned him as a compelling contender for the T20 World Cup, making it difficult to ignore his impressive contributions.

Dube has demonstrated proficiency against medium-fast bowlers in the 2024 IPL, scoring at a striking rate of 177.5 with an average of 63. However, his scoring rate decreases against quicker bowlers at an average of 51 while maintaining a strike rate of 118.60, despite facing fewer dismissals from them.

The Chennai Super Kings primarily utilize him as an Impact Player, where his bowling contributions are not required. Consequently, if selected by India, he would likely serve as a part-time bowler, potentially hindering his chances of securing a place in the squad due to his limited bowling role.

Team India is relying on Hardik Pandya to shine in the remaining Mumbai Indians (MI) matches to fill the void of another seam-bowling all-rounder. His bowling performance is pivotal for cementing his position in the squad, as India aims for Pandya's consistent contributions with both bat and ball.

Under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's captaincy, India clinched their only T20 World Cup title in 2007, defeating Pakistan by five runs. However, since then, India has reached the final only once in eight editions, suffering semi-final and group-stage exits in subsequent tournaments in the shorter format.

Shivam Dube Will Put Pressure On Hardik Pandya - Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan said that he will be disappointed if Shivam Dube doesn't make it into the squad for the T20 World Cup. Pathan emphasized Dube's batting prowess, citing his aggressive style reminiscent of Yuvraj Singh's six-hitting ability.

“Eventually there will be a time when Shivam Dube will put pressure on Pandya, the kind of hitting ability that Dube has, the way he has murdered the spinners, no one comes closer to him in Indian batting in the middle order, he is the best now,” Pathan said in the Star Sports Press Room.

“I will be highly disappointed if he doesn’t go to the World Cup. We have missed a guy like him, someone like Yuvraj Singh who can hit six sixes, he plays fearlessly from the word go. I haven’t seen anything like that."

The Indian selectors are closely monitoring the ongoing IPL 2024 as they finalize India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the USA. The composition of the Indian squad was nearly decided for the tournament.

Also read: Hardika Pandya to be dropped from India's T20 World Cup squad? Ajit Agarkar, Rahul Dravid, and Rohit Sharma will decide