Suresh Raina suggests that Shivam Dube could make India’s T20 World Cup team with Hardik Pandya, if he scores big in IPL 2024.
In the second T20I in Indore on Sunday, January 14, Afghanistan gave India a target of 173 runs. Dube fired a strong 63 not out from 32 balls, helping India to win by six wickets with 26 balls left.
During a conversation on Colors Cineplex, Raina was questioned whether Dube might be a part of India’s T20 World Cup team along with Hardik. He answered,
“Absolutely, if Hardik Pandya is fit, Shivam Dube can also bat. Rohit Sharma is using him well. The IPL form will be very important. As a captain or selector, I will take in-form players, who will score runs in the two months of the IPL, which will be played in different cities.”
“This is India’s team. This is captain Rohit Sharma’s team. Rohit Sharma will definitely want in-form players and Dube has impressed a lot – not only now, but even in the entire IPL. He impressed a captain like MS Dhoni, who gave him the confidence, and Rohit Sharma has given him the same confidence.”
Suresh Raina
Dube’s consecutive fifty-score innings were commended by Raina. He said that he was especially grateful that the Chennai Super Kings player was trying to complete games since it would give him more confidence.
Suresh Raina praises Shivam Dube’s power and confidence in hitting sixes
About Shivam Dube’s big-hitting prowess, Suresh Raina was questioned as well. To which he replied:
“It’s because of the bat swing. He plays the full drive. He knows that if he middles it, he will hit the ball out of the ground. He has practiced like that. When you have positive intent in your mind, both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube believe in the full drive more than the check drive.”
Suresh Raina
The former cricket player who is now a broadcaster commended Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal for their audacious batting strategy, saying:
“When you play the full drive, you get power even if you don’t middle it, because you make the impact under your eyes. We saw an exhibition of the fearless batting we talk about. This is our team’s strength.”
Suresh Raina
Yashasvi Jaiswal hit five fours and six sixes on route to a 34-ball 68. In just seven overs, he and Dube put up 92 runs for the third wicket to all but guarantee India’s victory.