When the BCCI selectors announced India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in April, there was a notable inclusion in it.
All-rounder Shivam Dube was rewarded with a place in the side for his stunning exploits in the IPL 2024 season for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
While Dube got to bowl only one over in the recently held IPL due to the Impact Player rule, he still managed to secure a place in the T20 World Cup squad thanks to his hard-hitting display with the bat.
Shivam Dube may not have bowled much in recent times, but CSK coach Stephen Fleming feels that the all-rounder’s gentle medium pace can actually be gold dust for India in the T20 World Cup.
"If his bowling is the way he talks about it, he's like Kapil Dev. He has been working really hard. He worked hard through the IPL. We had a number of players that could do the all-round role, and again, with the impact player rule, it actually diminishes the role of an all-rounder or a part-time bowler who bats well, which is bit of a shame," Fleming said on ESPNCricinfo.
"He's been doing his bowling, he has had his loads up. He can be awkward (to face) in the right conditions, which you'd say would be a little bit slow, where his cutters and change of pace could play a part. He can play a part, he can do a job and he has worked very hard on it," he added.
According to Fleming, Dube, if utilized properly, can be a game-changer for India with the bat. The southpaw aggregated 396 runs in 14 innings for CSK this season. He was particularly severe on spinners and scored his runs at an impressive strike rate of 162.29.
"How he is used is very important. With the impact player rule, it was clear. He got instructions - to take down spinners. So with spinners operating, he can be a real bonus. He not only gives you a boost in the middle overs but it also makes teams change tactics. And that can be underestimated as well," Fleming stated.
"He might also create the opportunity down the line as one of the finishers. He can be a really technical player. You want his form back. His power is there. He is an expected player and the type that if he gets on a run, would be the one that changes games for you," he further remarked.
India’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign is due to begin on June 5 against Ireland in New York.
