He may have bowled just six deliveries for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the just-concluded season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), but India captain Rohit Sharma is probably looking to utilize all-rounder Shivam Dube's seam-up skills more often in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Team India had its first training session in the US on Thursday, ahead of their only warm-up fixture against Bangladesh on June 1 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, followed by the campaign-opener agaist Ireland on June 5 at the same venue.
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An interesting note from India's practice was the sight of Dube getting guidance from Rohit on the lengths to bowl, while the right-arm medium-pacer bowled to his skipper in the nets.
Interestingly, Dube was asked to bowl just a solitary over by CSK in the 14 matches he played during IPL 2024, which concluded on May 26. Dube took wicket in the over while conceding 14 runs.
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CSK's strategy for utilizing Dube revolved exclusively around his batting skills, asking the tall man, who bats left-handed, to go after spinners in the middle overs, which Dube did successfully. On the expectedly slow, spinning tracks in the West Indies, India may also be inclined to follow that.
Dube scored 396 runs in 14 innings during IPL 2024 with a highest of 66 not out and strike rate of 162.30. He hit three half-centuries.
However, Rohit may not be looking to use Dube as a batsman alone as India eye ending an 11-year wait for another ICC trophy.
