"Even If Hardik Pandya Is Fit...": Rohan Gavaskar's Bold Shivam Dube T20 World Cup 2024 Remark

17.01.2024 - 08:26 sports.ndtv.com

With Hardik Pandya still far from making a comeback, all-rounder Shivam Dube made a strong claim for a spot in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad, smashing back-to-back half-centuries in the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan.

Dube's impressive show in the series has strengthened his case as the backup for injury-prone Hardik Pandya. But, the son of legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, Rohan, feels Dube is making sure that he is on the plane to South Africa for the T20 World Cup next year even if Hardik is fit. "We have been talking about him as, 'Oh, listen, what if Hardik is unfit?', I think what he is doing is making sure that even if Hardik is fit, he is on that plane in that World Cup squad.

If you put in performances like this, it is very hard for anyone to drop you. It is going to be a really tough decision for the selectors if they decide to drop him.

He is doing all that he can, which is giving the selectors a headache," Gavaskar said on Cricbuzz. Gavaskar is of the opinion that Dube is getting more and more accustomed to the demands at the international level, and he is ready to come in as the first-choice replacement for the likes of Hardik Pandya or Rinku Singh in the shortest format of the game. "After these two games, I think he now feels that he belongs at the international level.

cricket India Cricket Team 2024 Remark cup Hardik Pandya Sunil Gavaskar Shivam Dube South Africa India Afghanistan

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has begun bowling full tilt after rehabilitation from his ankle injury, clearly indicating that he is on course for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League where he will captain Mumbai Indians. Pandya, who sustained an ankle injury during World Cup last year, was seen bowling here in a video footage shared on his Instagram. "I feel good to be back. My journey started 17 years back at this same ground," said Pandya, who was seen sending down a few deliveries while also doing some running drills and exercises.

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Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra opined that India can pick both all-rounders Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya in the squad for the much-awaited T20 World Cup, starting from June in the West Indies and in the United States of America. The 46-year-old asserted that the Dube reminds him of former India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh as he attacks the bowler in the same way. He said that the 30-year-old should bat a little down the order for India.

With Special 'CSK' Remark, R Ashwin Settles Shivam Dube vs Hardik Pandya T20 World Cup Debate

Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been impressed by Shivam Dube's emergence, backing him for a place in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. During the recently-concluded T20I series against Afghanistan, Dube smashed half-centuries in back-to-back games to help India sweep the bilateral 3-0. He was also impressive with the bowl, despite taking just two wickets. Impressed with Dube's performance in the series, Ashwin feels the all-rounder can make a difference at the T20 World Cup in West Indies, where the conditions are similar to that of Chepauk.

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The news of Hardik Pandya rejoining Mumbai Indians from Gujarat Titans ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season caused ripples in the cricket community. Hardik Pandya was the skipper of GT in the past two seasons and on both occasions, he led them to the final. The franchise won their maiden title in 2021 and the next year, they finished runners-up after losing to Chennai Super Kings in the final. However, Pandya completed a shocking trade to MI - his former team - ahead of the new season and India fast bowler Mohammed Shami had a clear verdict on the incident.

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The young Indian duo of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube are set to be rewarded for their exemplary performances. While Jaiswal is gradually becoming an all-format player for the Indian team, Dube has done enough in the shortest format to become a central figure in the Indian T20I team. The duo's names weren't part of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s list when the central contracts were drawn in March last year, but they are closer to getting a spot this time around, as per a report.