Former India opener batsman Gautam Gambhir believes that all-rounder Shivam Dube should have been a part of the 2023 Asia Cup squad as a backup to Hardik Pandya. Shivam Dubey is currently part of the Indian team present in Ireland for the three-match T20I series. The all-rounder made a comeback after three years on the back of his performances for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). He scored 418 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 158.33 in the franchise’s title-winning campaign.
As far as his ODI record is concerned, he has played only one match, which came against Windies in 2019. He has a batting average of 38.41 and an economy of 5.37 in 52 List A matches. Gautam Gambhir said the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee should have considered Shivam Dube in the 2023 Asia Cup squad considering his current form.
“One name they (the select should have definitely considered is Shivam Dube because of the kind of form he is in. You need a backup for Hardik Pandya. Shardul Thakur can’t be that. Shardul Thakur cannot be Hardik’s backup,” he said on Star Sports.
Former India spinner and chairman of selectors Sunil Joshi, however, disagreed with Gambhir’s view. Expressing objection to Dubey’s lack of experience in ODI cricket, he said:
“No, I don’t think so. We have seen Shivam Dube. He would’ve been scoring in T20s but this is entirely format and a different tournament. With due respect to Gautam, this is my view. Shivam Dube has struggled with the ball and also in the field.
Shivam Dube scored an unbeaten 22 in the second T20I against Ireland and has also played a few overs in the series so far.
“I Believe Either Ravi Bishnoi Or Yuzvendra Chahal Should Have Been Picked Due To Circumstances” – Gautam Gambhir On Team India’s 2023 Asia Cup Squad
Different opinions have emerged from all sides regarding Team India’s 2023 Asia Cup squad. From the surprising selection of Tilak Verma and the famous Krishna to the omission of Yuzvendra Chahal in subcontinent conditions, many were taken by surprise. Gautam Gambhir said that Team India’s bowling attack is one-dimensional due to the lack of an additional wrist spinner.
He opined:
“It’s a decent squad, according to me a nice squad is picked, but somewhere a wrist spinner is needed. It’s a seam-heavy squad and I believe either Ravi Bishnoi or Yuzvendra Chahal should have been picked because of conditions, when you are playing in India it’s important to keep two wrist spinners in the squad,”
Gautam Gambhir continued:
Somewhere it’s a one-dimensional attack, two left-arm spinners, one wrist spinner and other pacers, it’s a seam-heavy attack (four-seamers). I think it’s a place where they could do better if they have selected one out of either leg-spinner. I believe you could give a break to Mohammad Shami and the form in which Prasidh Krishna is, you could pick a wrist spinner,”
Team India will begin their 2023 Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on 2 September.
