Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra backed Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) all-rounder Shivam Dube for selection in the Indian cricket team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which will be played in the West Indies and the United States from June 1.
Dube, 30, has been in amazing form in the IPL 2024 as he amassed 350 runs in nine innings so far at an amazing 58.33 average and strike rate of 172.41 while playing as a middle-order batter.
The 30-year-old’s current form has sure become a headache for the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) selectors as they have finalised and sent the initial squad list for the World Cup to the International Cricket Council (ICC) by May 1.
Chopra believes that let alone being in the squad, Dube should be in India’s playing XI when they take the field in the World Cup.
“The way the kid is playing, he is absolutely scintillating and sensational. I am saying that you shouldn’t only send him but play him in the XI. The discussion is not about his T20 selection. In my opinion, you are compelled to play him in the XI,” Chopra said.
He then stated that there is “no” player in India who is hitting better than him and due to that reason, benching him would be a “grave” injustice.
“No captain, team management or selector can ignore him. Because if you ignore him, there is no player in India at the moment who hits better than him. If you make him sit on the bench, you will do a grave injustice,” Chopra added.
Remember, all the teams participating in the mega event have to send a list of provisional squads to the ICC by May 1. However, changes can be made till the 25th of May but once that date has passed, approval from the ICC would be required for any changes.
It must be noted that India is in Group A with arch-rivals Pakistan and the two sides will take on one another in one of the most anticipated matches of the World Cup on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.
Groups for T20 World Cup 2024
Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, United States
Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman
Group C: New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea
Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal