‘If Hardik Pandya is fit, he can also bat…..’ – Legendary cricketer backs Shivam Dube to be in T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Former India cricketer Suresh Raina heaps praise on star all-rounder Shivam Dube and backs him to be in Team India’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, the CSK star got the opportunity in the T20I series against Afghanistan due to the absence of Hardik Pandya in the team. The 30-year-old cricketer played a pivotal role in the middle order in both the T20Is and helped India win the series.

However, Suresh Raina feels that the middle-order batter can get the opportunity in the T20 World Cup 2024 despite the availability of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya in Team India’s camp. In addition, the left-handed batter feels the coming IPL is very important for Dube, and he can make his place in the upcoming marquee event. Moreover, the well-renowed cricketer commentator also talks about skipper Rohit Sharma’s approach and how Dube can be useful for him.

“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,” Suresh Raina said on Jio  Cinema.

Shivam Dube knows that if he middles it, he will hit the ball out of the ground: Suresh Raina

Moreover, the cricketer turned analyst also talks about the shots played by Shivam Dube in the first and second T20I games. Suresh Raina feels Shivam Dube and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the two important batters for Team India ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

“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. Dube 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,” he added further.