India’s selection team is shortly to announce their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

While the debate will continue to do the rounds on whether India has covered all their bases. The most glaring gap seems to be the pace bowling allrounder slot.

Why a fast-bowling allrounder is required?

ODIs and Test cricket can still play with specialists but in T20, allrounders play a very important role.

A fast-bowling all rounder balances any side and can play a key role in both departments of play.

Unlike other teams, Team India has been desperately trying to find a genuine all-rounder for some time now.

Hardik Pandya – The all-rounder

Hardik Pandya has been India’s first-choice all-rounder on the team sheet for quite some time.

Considered India’s most valuable player and a must-have in the limited-over game, Hardik today is going through a prolonged phase of bad form.

Ironically, his lack of contribution has not affected his place in the side purely because of the lack of choice for India in the domestic circuit.

Due to the lack of choice, India has persisted with Hardik Pandya.

Injury Prone

Hardik has a fragile body and is very prone to injury. India can ill afford to not have the all-rounder slot vacant in case of an injury to Hardik.

We saw a similar fallout in the recently concluded ICC World Cup when Hardik met with a freak injury in the initial tournament phase.

His absence did disturb the balance of the team but luckily a resurgent Indian team put up a good show in the World Cup tournament and reached the finals of the mega event.

This may become a disaster in the T20 format

India’s Achilles Heel

The current choice of Hardik Pandya has not reaped any major dividends for the team. Though he remains a vital cog in the current T20 setup, the lack of choice for an alternate has made Team India vulnerable.

Hardik Pandya becomes India’s Achilles heel as there are no like-to-like are placements for the current Mumbai Indian captain.

India’s Next Best Option – Shivam Dube

In the ongoing IPL tournament, Shivam Dube has impressed all with his performance.

Shivam has made a strong case for himself as the team’s all-rounder with Hardik Pandya currently struggling with both, bat and ball in the IPL.

His swash-buckling IPL knocks have been impressive. Shivam Dube has been in splendid form with back-to-back half-centuries and all his scores have come at a quick clip.

In the 8 games he has played so far, Shivam Dube has scored 311 runs at a strike rate of 169.94.

He has made a strong case for a place in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup.

The timing could not be more perfect for the Mumbai Ranji Player as his performance has come at the right time, days before the squad announcement.

Second Life for the South Paw

Shivam Dube has come up from the Mumbai domestic circuit and became famous when he slammed five consecutive sixes in an over against Baroda.

Shivam Dube is now part of one of the most successful franchises the Chennai Super Kings.

After failing to impress in the past few years, Shivam has redeemed himself under the leadership of MS Dhoni.

Shivam Dube for CSK

Inns: 33

Runs: 1018

Avg: 37.7

SR: 161.07

50s: 8

HS: 95*

Shivam Dube is the only Super Kings batsman aggregating 1000 runs with a 140+ strike rate.

Has Impact rule affected Shivam Dube’s world Cup selection

Because of the new Impact rule in the IPL, Shivam plays purely as a batsman and has not got the chance to roll his arm.

Will the selection team take a gamble without seeing the bowling form of Shivam to the allrounder spot?

Many experts believe that Shivam’s lack of bowling might not hamper his place if selected purely because he will be India’s 6^th bowling option and would be expected to ball 2-3 overs only.

CSK coach Steven Fleming has confirmed that though Shivam Dube has not been getting chances to bowl within the match due to the impact sub rule, Dube has been bowling at the nets and keeping himself ready.

Supersports360 View

‘Super Sports team believe that there is place for both Hardik and Shivam in the 15-member squad’.

Here are our top reasons why Shivam Dube should be included in the 15-member squad

Current Form

Shivam Dube is currently the in-form player in the CSK Camp. The power-hitter also completed 1000 runs for CSK. Before the IPL, Shivam Dube hit 2 back-to-back unbeaten fifties which has resurrected his international career.

Clean Hitter

He is considered one of the cleanest hitters in the Indian contingent and can be extremely dangerous against spin bowling and medium-pacers.

Power Hitter

Shivam can fill in the role of the Power Hitter in the middle overs when the spinners are on. He can clear the boundaries with relative ease and can give momentum in the middle order.

Left Hander

Left-hander in the middle order is a great weapon to counter-spin.

Improved bowler:

Shivam Dube has worked on his bowling and has been consistently bowling for Mumbai domestic team. He has been a much-improved bowler since his debut a few years back.

Conclusion

As criticism mounts on Hardik Pandya for his abysmal performance in the IPL, Shivam Dube may be an ideal pick for the T20 World Cup squad 2024.

At the end of the day with only a 15-member squad to be announced there are not many slots available.

Hardik Pandya if fit, will be a certainty in the 15-member squad purely on repute.

Shivam Dube may be included as a backup to Hardik Pandya to avoid a repeat of the ODI World Cup scenario.

From a forgotten talent to a resurgent performer, Shivam Dube can play a role in India’s quest for the next World Cup trophy.