Former Indian fast bowler Varun Aaron has termed Shivam Dube as India’s No. 1 all-rounder when Hardik Pandya is not playing in the ongoing T20I series against the West Indies. However, Aaron rued the fact that Dube hasn’t improved his bowling despite getting ample opportunities at the top level.
The all-rounder returned with expensive figures of 0-30 in two overs he bowled in the second T20I against the West Indies, when India could not defend a target of 250 at Ranchi. However, Dube was dropped in the third game as Nitish Kumar Reddy was added to the team’s playing XI.
Varun Aaron said on Cricinfo, “Look, I think India should go past managing Shivam Dube because he has played for a long time for India. He’s gotten a long rope when it comes to his bowling, so he has to step up his bowling at this point. The Indian team has shown a lot of belief in him. Yes, he bowled a great first spell in that Asia Cup. That was a long time ago, but he has to keep continuing to evolve because, In T20Is, he’s India’s No. 1 all-rounder when Hardik Pandya is not playing.”
The former Indian seamer said Nitish Kumar Reddy might play in the last two games of the series.
“Reddy definitely has to feature. I think India’s waiting to go 2-1 in the series to play Reddy so they have their assurance that they just have to win one game to close the series. Reddy could feature in the last two T20Is, that’s how I look at it. I would want India to go with the same playing XI. Maybe think about horses for courses depending on the wicket change. Prince Yadav could be in the conversation if you were to go that way.”
India are 210-9 after 19 overs in the third game.
