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

20.01.2024 - 07:55 sports.ndtv.com

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. "Hardik Pandya is a crucial member of this Indian team.

However, the emergence of Shivam Dube... Just like how we divide eras into Before Christ and After Christ, we can divide his career into 'before CSK' and 'after CSK'.

cricket India Cricket Team MS Dhoni Chennai Super Kings Remark cup Ravichandran Ashwin Hardik Pandya Shivam Dube India Afghanistan

England captain Ben Stokes, who didn't have any answer to Jasprit Bumrah's inswinging delivery in the first innings of the first Test against India, was similarly bamboozled by Ravichandran Ashwin in the second innings. Facing the ace Indian spinner, Stokes was completely beaten by Ashwin's magical delivery on Saturday. The England skipper failed to understand how Ashwin managed to beat him all ends up.

Watch: Recovering From Ankle Injury, Hardik Pandya Begins Bowling Full Tilt

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.

'Ashwin Must Be Proud': Internet Reacts To Viral Non-Striker Run-Out At Under-19 World Cup

A runout at non-striker's end stole the show in the New Zealand vs Afghanistan low-scoring thriller at Buffalo Park in East London on Tuesday. It was a Group D match of the ongoing U19 World Cup in South Africa. Afghanistan spinner Naseer Khan Maroofkhil ran out New Zealand's Ewald Schreuder as the latter was short of his crease at the non-striker's end. Before Naseer, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, could release the delivery out of his hand, Schreuder was out of his crease. Naseer was quick to clip off the bails in time by stopping mid-way during his bowling. Batter Schreuder was visibly unhappy with the dismissal.

'Ashwin Must Be Proud': Internet Reacts To Viral Non-Striker Run-Out At Under-19 World Cup

"Keep Both Hardik Pandya And Shivam Dube": Ex-India Star On Potential Selection Dilemma For T20 World Cup

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.

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

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.