Shivam Dube played a key role in India's T20 World Cup title defence earlier this year.
Former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra questioned the Indian team management's decision making after Shivam Dube spent the entire five-match T20I series against New Zealand on the bench.
Chopra emphasized that while Nitish Kumar Reddy offers more utility and control with the ball, Dube remains the superior, more explosive finisher.
He cautioned against completely writing off Dube, especially considering his heroics in India’s back-to-back T20 Word Cup triumphs, recent ODI appearances against England, and strong contributions during the Asian Games final.
"Dube played the Asian Games final and scored runs, and he has also played ODI cricket against England. You cannot just say that he is no longer needed. I will be surprised if he is absolutely dislodged. Yes, Nitish Kumar Reddy has done a job. He is a better bowler, but Shivam Dube is a better finisher," Chopra said while speaking to Cricinfo.
"What you want from a player is something that might eventually decide your selection. But for that, we must also understand the thought process. Nitish will give you the overs, but Dube will finish games. World Cup finals, Asian Games, Asia Cup-those are the places where Shivam Dube has come into his own. I am in no hurry to write him off," he added.
With Hardik Pandya continues to face lengthy spells on the sidelines due to fitness issues, the Indian team management has prioritized Nitish Kumar Reddy as their premier multi-format seam-bowling all-rounder. This aggressive grooming of Reddy has directly relegated Shivam Dube to the sidelines.
India clinched a 3-2 T20I series victory on New Zealand soil. The Men in Blue displayed clinical form to establish an unassailable lead across the initial three matches before dropping the final two games in Auckland and Hamilton.
With India holding a commanding 3-0 lead earlier in the series, the refusal to test bench strength—leaving players like Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, and Kumar Kushagra completely unused—sparked significant debate regarding team rotation strategies.