Former India batter Ambati Rayudu believes MI skipper Hardik Pandya and CSK all-rounder Shivam Dube are not competing for the same spot in India’s squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Dube showcased brilliant batting prowess when CSK faced LSG. Batting first at Chepauk, Dube’s quick 66 runs off 27 balls, along with Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten 108 off 60 balls, lifted CSK to set a formidable 211-run target for LSG. However, a sensational 124 not out by Marcus Stoinis led LSG to defeat the defending champions by 6 wickets.
Batting at number 5, Dube provided solid assistance to Ruturaj after CSK’s top order collapsed in the powerplay. Together, Dube and Ruturaj steadied the innings, building a crucial 104-run partnership that ignited a fiery finish for their team.
Rayudu clarified to ESPNcricinfo that Shivam Dube’s position in the Indian team differs significantly from Hardik Pandya’s.
“They are not fighting for the same position. Dube is a batter who bats at No. 4 or 5, and Hardik and Jadeja are finishers for the Indian team. He can hit boundaries and accelerate against spinners when the conditions are slow. However, Dube doesn’t hit many runs between overs 16 and 20, as his strike rate isn’t that high. I believe that Jadeja and Hardik play that role for the Indian team,” Ambati Rayudu said.
The match strengthened Dube’s case for getting selected in the T20 World Cup squad. Dube has been in brilliant batting form since India’s 3-match T20 series against Afghanistan, where he was named Player of the Series.
In contrast, Hardik Pandya has struggled for form in IPL 2024, scoring just 151 runs in 8 matches. Pandya’s poor IPL run has sparked speculation that Dube may replace the experienced all-rounder in the national team.
Having lost their last two matches to the Lucknow Super Giants, the Chennai Super Kings will look to bounce back when they take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 28. CSK will need Dube to maintain his strong batting form, as SRH has a deep lineup of in-form batters like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen.