NEW DELHI: Former India opener Aakash Chopra has showered praise on Chennai Super Kings batter Shivam Dube, asserting that the left-hander should be a part of the Indian squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, following his outstanding performance against Gujarat Titans in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 fixture.
CSK clinched a comprehensive 63-run win over GT at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, maintaining their stronghold at the fortress of Chepauk.
Dube's remarkable knock of 51 from just 23 balls, featuring five sixes and two fours at a staggering strike rate of 221.74, earned him the Player of the Match award.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra lauded Dube's explosive batting prowess, particularly highlighting his ability to dispatch the ball for sixes with remarkable consistency.
"How well is he playing? The number at which Shivam Dube bats, around No. 5 or No. 6, is there any Indian who hits sixes better than him?" Chopra questioned.
Chopra emphasized Dube's immense strength and capability to clear the boundary ropes effortlessly, even while standing inside the crease. He noted the left-hander's improved performance against short balls and emphasized his overall suitability for the T20 format.
1/10:IPL 2024: Chennai Super Kings thrash Gujarat Titans
PTI
2/10:Rachin Ravindra
<p>Rachin Ravindra from New Zealand contributed with an explosive 46 runs and took three catches, aiding CSK to their second consecutive IPL victory with a commanding 63-run win over Gujarat Titans.<br /></p>PTI
3/10:Ruturaj and Rachin
<p>In his debut IPL season, Rachin scored 46 runs off 20 balls, while captain Ruturaj also contributed 46 runs as Chennai posted 206-6 at their home ground, M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.<br /></p>PTI
4/10:Shivam Dube
<p>CSK's Shivam Dube led the charge with his top score of 51 off just 23 deliveries, bolstering the total after Ravindra and Gaikwad provided a quick start with an opening stand of 62 runs.</p>PTI
5/10:Rashid Khan
<p>Rashid Khan claimed two crucial wickets of Rachin Ravindra and Shivam Dube but conceded 49 runs in his four overs.<br /></p>AFP
6/10:Deepak Chahar
<p style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Medium pacer Deepak Chahar (2-28) made a strong start by dismissing both GT openers, skipper Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha, in his first spell. Subsequently, his bowling counterparts took charge to finish the job.<br /></p>PTI
7/10:Sai Sudharshan
<p>Except for 'local lad' Sai Sudharsan, who scored 37 runs off 31 balls with three boundaries, none of the Titans batters demonstrated good application in the chase.<br /></p>PTI
8/10:Mustafizur Rahman
<p>With Matheesha Pathirana (1-29) and Mustafizur Rahman (2-30) included in the playing XII, Chennai delivered 18 overs of pace, signalling a departure from their typical spin-heavy strategy.<br /></p>AFP
9/10:David Miller
<p>David Miller showed promising form with his 21 runs off 16 balls but couldn't prolong his innings, falling victim to a spectacular catch by Ajinkya Rahane.<br /></p>AFP
10/10:MS Dhoni
<p>Veteran M.S. Dhoni surprised fans by relinquishing the Chennai captaincy to Gaikwad ahead of IPL 2024, despite leading the team to its fifth IPL title last year.<br /></p>AFPWith an eye on the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Chopra underlined the significance of having a powerful hitter like Dube in the Indian squad, particularly considering the slow pitches and spacious grounds expected in Florida, New York, and the West Indies.
"The pitches are slow and the grounds are big. So you need a powerful batter there, which he actually is. So he is going to be in my scheme of things for the World Cup," Chopra concluded.
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to commence on June 1, with India set to face Ireland on June 5, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9, both matches slated to take place at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
(With inputs from ANI)
