Abhishek Nayar Praises Shivam Dube for Filling Hardik Pandya’s Role in T20Is

Former India coach Abhishek Nayar praised Shivam Dube for performing consistently with bat and ball, saying he has effectively filled Hardik Pandya’s role in the T20I team.

Former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar praised Shivam Dube for emerging as a dependable all-rounder in the T20I setup, effectively covering for the injured Hardik Pandya. Dube played all five matches in the recent T20I series against Australia, contributing with both bat and ball at crucial moments.

Nayar highlighted that Dube’s ability to deliver key breakthroughs and score impactful runs has made India less reliant on Hardik’s presence. He added that Dube might not fit the typical power-hitting all-rounder image but continues to perform his role efficiently whenever trusted by the team management.

“We always say that Hardik Pandya is the kind of all-rounder that India requires. Game after game, Shivam Dube has shown that he can be that all-rounder as well. You don’t really feel the absence of Hardik Pandya because Shivam bowls important overs, takes key wickets, and contributes with the bat in different situations,” stated Nayar while speaking on JioHotstar.

“He scored crucial runs and took two big wickets when Australia were looking to accelerate. Whenever he has been challenged by this Indian team management, he has come up with flying colours. He may not be tagged as ‘the all-rounder’, but he does everything that an Indian all-rounder needs to do,” he added.

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Notably, Shivam Dube has continued to impress with consistent all-round performances for India in white-ball cricket. In the final against Pakistan, Dube’s quick 33 off 22 balls proved vital in securing a win. More recently, he contributed 22 off 18 and picked 2 for 20 in the fourth T20I against Australia, helping India secure a 48-run win in Carrara. Dube is now expected to play a major role in India’s upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa, starting November 14 at home.