Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan has shed light on Shivam Dube’s batting demotion in the last two matches against Australia. Dube batted at number eight in the second T20I at the MCG against Australia as Harshit Rana was promoted to number seven after India were tottering at 49-5. The left-hander was dismissed after scoring four runs off two balls.

In the third T20I against Australia, Dube didn’t get a chance to bat in the run-chase of 187 as Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Jitesh Sharma batted ahead of him. Meanwhile, Dube returned with expensive figures of 1-43 in the three overs he bowled in the third game.

Zaheer Khan said on Cricbuzz, “In this whole process, one wonders where Shivam Dube is going to sit. He is someone who has been consistently performing and now suddenly is batting at No. 8. It means that there are many less opportunities and he will definitely be feeling the pressure. It’s not a great sign for any batter if you’re just being pushed down the order, be it taking responsibility or finishing the job.”

“You’ve seen that someone else has already finished (Sundar and Jitesh). And in the last innings, he got the opportunity and got out. Out is out and that’s just going to build pressure. So he will have to have a conversation with Washington Sundar on how to manage the in-out situation. But in the next innings, when he bats in a normal position, he’ll certainly feel the pressure.”

In the second T20I, Sanju Samson was dismissed on two after he was promoted to number three. Earlier, Samson was opening the innings but has been pushed down to the middle order after Shubman Gill’s vice-captaincy appointment. Khan highlighted that Samson has been batting out of position and has found it difficult to get going.

“It’s the template and role designation that you are looking at. Sanju Samson has been batting out of position and finding it challenging. So something along those lines were definitely discussed and Jitesh made use of his opportunity,” said Zaheer (via the aforementioned source).

“Going forward also, you’ll see this kind of an approach, which just simplifies things for the guy also playing that particular role. Doing it regularly also makes it easier to adapt. So Jitesh also will be very happy as it’s his comeback of sorts.”

The fourth T20I between India and Australia will be played on Thursday at the Bill Pippen Oval, Gold Coast.