New Delhi: Hardik Pandya is currently the most incredible all-rounder in Indian cricket, and his presence in the team boosts confidence. His strength grows with experience. However, as strong as Pandya is, he is also prone to injuries. Injuries are what kept him away from the T20 series against Afghanistan. Before that, he wasn’t allowed to play in South Africa. Pandya’s injury turned out to be a blessing for his mentor-brother.
The opportunity arose against Afghanistan, which his mentor-brother embraced wholeheartedly. With his strong performance, he reassured India that if Hardik Pandya is not available, they have someone capable to fill in.
There’s no doubt that no one can replace Hardik Pandya in Team India. He is irreplaceable. However, there might be an alternative, for which his mentor-brother Shivam Dube has staked his claim in the T20 series against Afghanistan.
Why Shivam Dube is a better option than Hardik Pandya?
Now, you might be wondering how Shivam Dube became the alternative for Hardik Pandya in Team India. The connection between them goes back to MS Dhoni. Both believe that where they are today and everything they’ve learned in cricket has a significant contribution from Dhoni.
Hardik and Dhoni’s bonding is well-known. When Dhoni was active in international cricket, he not only learned from him but also studied the finer details of his game. Similarly, Shivam Dube, while playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL, benefited the most from Dhoni. That’s why, whether in Mohali or Indore, after finishing the match for Team India, he didn’t forget to mention Dhoni’s name.
Now, if you’re learning from the same mentor, you become mentor-brothers. Dhoni’s teachings are the common thread between them. Dhoni’s influence on both is evident in their games.
Why Shivam Dube is considered a better option in Team India?
Now the question is, why is Shivam Dube being seen as a potential replacement for Hardik Pandya in Team India? Why is this confidence growing among people that if Hardik Pandya is unavailable, Shivam Dube can step in? The recent performance of Shivam Dube, especially in the T20 series against Afghanistan, plays a significant role in this growing confidence.
With 5 boundaries and 4 sixes, Shivam Dube finished the second T20I in Indore with an incredible strike rate of 196.37, scoring 63 runs off just 32 balls. In the first T20I in Mohali, he played at a strike rate of 150, scoring 60 runs off only 40 balls. Not only that, he also took a wicket in Mohali. In Indore, he got 2 wickets.
Captain’s Trust in Dube
Shivam Dube is the one who, despite being selected for the T20 series against Australia, did not get a chance to play. After that, he was dropped from the South Africa tour. However, when the opportunity came against Afghanistan, he made the most of it. After the first two matches, Dube is the highest run-scorer in the entire series. He is doing on the field what Captain Rohit Sharma is asking of him. This is why both Rohit and Shivam Dube are content and happy.
