Team India, led by Jasprit Bumrah is on tour of Ireland, where they will lock horns with the hosts in three-match T20I series. The first game of the series took place on Friday. It was India that came out victorious by two runs (D/L method).
It was a second-string team for India, with all new faces that did well in the Indian Premier League 2023. One name that was part of the Chennai Super Kings team that won the IPL 2023, Shivam Dube, has also made it to the team and played the first T20I.
Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravi Ashwin has lauded the all-rounder after a stunning IPL season for CSK, which earned him a comeback in the Indian side. Ashwin also reckons that Dube has the ability to fill in for Hardik Pandya if he is not available in the shorter format.
Notably, in the IPl 2023, Dube scored 418 runs at an impressive strike rate of 158.33. He also did well in the Deodhar Trophy, scoring 119 runs in five innings, including a 78-ball 83 not out for West Zone against North Zone.
In a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Ashwin praised the all-rounder and said he can play the finishing role. The 36-year-old said, “Shivam Dube did really well in the Deodhar Trophy too. In Hardik Pandya’s absence, If you need a player for the finishing role who can bat and bowl a bit, Dube can fill that role.”
Furthermore, Ashwin also highlighted the roles of Jitesh Sharma and Rinku Singh in the current Indian team. He said that Jitesh and Rinku are brilliant finishers, which strengthens India’s finishing ability along with Dube. Both Rinku and Jitesh also had good performances in the IPL 2023.
Rinku scored the most runs for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the tournament. The left-hander made 474 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 149.53 with four half-centuries. On the other hand, PBKS keeper Jitesh has made 243 runs in 26 games at a strike rate of 159.24 in the last two IPL seasons.
