Aakash Chopra questions Shivam Dube’s absence from England T20Is

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has questioned Shivam Dube’s absence from India’s five-match T20I series squad against England. Chopra recalled that Dube was part of India’s T20 World Cup squad but expressed his surprise over the left-hander’s absence.

The southpaw scored 133 runs in eight matches of the T20I showpiece at an average of 22.16 and a strike rate of 114.65. The attacking left-hander scored a crucial knock of 27 runs off just 16 balls with the help of three fours and one six in the all-important final against South Africa at Barbados.

“What happened to Shivam Dube? I wanted to talk about Ruturaj (Gaikwad) as well but he is not able to make his place. Rajat Patidar is also there. Obviously, there is a lot of batting. However, now I am going to focus a little bit on Shivam Dube. He was a member of the T20 World Cup-winning team,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

The renowned commentator recalled Dube’s imperative knock in the summit clash against the Proteas.

“When you win, everyone should get the credit. He even played decently in the final. Before that, there were definitely some questions that he wasn’t fielding or batting well. However, then he played well and became the T20 World Cup champion,” Chopra observed.

Chopra noted that Dube is not suddenly in the thick of schemes despite decent performances, which is surprising.

“After that, he remained injured a little, didn’t get too many opportunities either, and is now out of the team. No one is talking about him as well. Riyan Parag is not being talked about because he is injured but no one is asking where Dube went. He suddenly disappeared from the horizon,” he said.

The former Delhi player backed the southpaw to return to India’s squad once he recovers from injury.

“If he was good enough to be a part of the World Cup squad, I am sure he would be worthy of playing for another one or two years. He has remained out because of injury, but there was a theory earlier that whoever goes out due to injury, will come back in first, and whoever replaced him would have to sit out no matter what he might have done,” Chopra elaborated.

India will take on England in a five-match T20I series, starting January 22.