Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan weighed in on the potential inclusion of Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube in India’s T20 World Cup squad. Hardik Pandya, recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the ODI World Cup, missed the T20I series against Afghanistan. Zaheer emphasized the need for careful planning to accommodate both players.
Zaheer Khan highlighted the key considerations for including both Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube. He mentioned the importance of the team’s strategy, whether they opt for a sixth bowling option or stick with five bowlers. The former pacer suggested that to accommodate both seam-bowling all-rounders, India might have to reconsider the squad’s wicketkeeping options.
Squad Dynamics with One Wicketkeeper
Zaheer Khan explained that including both Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube might necessitate carrying only one wicketkeeper in the squad. In such a scenario, the second wicketkeeper would travel with the team as a backup. Zaheer pointed out the challenge of relying on a single wicketkeeper, stating that even a minor injury could lead to the player’s withdrawal from the entire tournament.
Discussing Shivam Dube’s playing style, Zaheer Khan drew parallels with Yuvraj Singh, especially in the manner Dube executes shots over midwicket. Highlighting the significance of big-hitting abilities in the middle overs of T20s, Zaheer praised Dube’s capacity to clear the boundaries. The former pacer emphasized the advantage of having a player who can quickly shift the momentum with aggressive strokes.
Hardik Pandya or Shivam Dube
Zaheer Khan acknowledged Shivam Dube’s role as an asset during the middle overs, especially when teams need to accelerate after a slow powerplay. Dube’s ability to hit over the top and score quick runs can positively impact the team’s performance. Zaheer commended Dube for making the most of his opportunities, presenting a challenging decision for selectors.
While appreciating Dube’s contributions, Zaheer Khan highlighted the unpredictability of the final squad selection. Despite giving the selectors a pleasant headache, Zaheer concluded that it’s challenging to foresee the definitive decision on Dube’s inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. The cricketer-turned-commentator emphasized the need for strategic planning and squad balance in the lead-up to the tournament.