Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath reckons it would be difficult for all-rounder Shivam Dube to return to the final XI as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir have grabbed their chances with both hands.
While Reddy scored a fine cameo of 13-ball 26 in the second game against New Zealand, Dhir scored another crucial knock of 31 runs off 17 balls. Earlier, Dhir smashed 42 runs off 15 balls in the series opener against the Kiwis.
Furthermore, both the all-rounders have done a decent job with the ball. Moreover, they are better fielders than Shivam Dube.
Badrinath said on his YouTube Channel, “I won’t say it’s the end of the road for him, considering the possibilities of injuries to others. But it’ll be very difficult for him to break into the playing 11 again. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir are fitting into the same category very well. They bowl, bat, and are excellent fielders. These two are multidimensional, especially with their fielding.”
He added, “Meanwhile, Dube is somewhat single-dimensional. He can smash spinners and give two overs of bowling. And fielding is terrible. Fielding and fitness is where Dube takes a hit. So it’s going to be hard for him to return to the 11.”
The former CSK batter added that Dhir knock of 31 runs was underrated in the second T20I against the Blackcaps.
“His (Naman Dhir) knock was underrated in the second T20I. It came when the situation was tough. Even Tilak Varma acknowledged it after the game. And he bowls off-spin as well,” said Badrinath (via the aforementioned source).
Dhir has impressed while adding the finishing touches in the first two games against New Zealand, and he has definitely justified his selection.
The third T20I between India and New Zealand will be played at Hnry Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday.
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