Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra hailed Shivam Dube’s knock against comprehensive win of 50 runs against Bangladesh in the Super 8 stage of the T20I showpiece at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua on Saturday.
Dube, who has been under the pump in the ongoing tournament, scored 34 runs off 24 balls with the help of three sixes. The left-hander added a crucial alliance of 53 runs with Hardik Pandya, who went on to score 50 off 27 balls.
The attacking southpaw also scored a decent knock of 31 runs off 35 balls against the USA.
“There were naysayers who were asking why are you playing him (Dube). However, the team, captain and Rahul Dravid thought there would be a day when spinners would be operating at the other end on a West Indian pitch and a big ground, and this boy can hit sixes, and he showed that by doing it,” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.
Chopra lauded Dube for taking the attack against the Bangladesh spinners in the middle overs and fulfilling his role.
“He scored 34 runs off 24 balls at a strike rate of 140. He also hit three sixes, didn’t hit even a single four, but he showed that he could do this job as well and that he had been selected for this job only. That was a very, very important knock,” Chopra observed.
The renowned commentator also hailed Hardik Pandya for scoring a fine knock of 50 runs off just 27 balls.
“It seemed like no one would go above 37. (Virat) Kohli – 37, Rohit (Sharma) – 23, (Rishabh) Pant – 36, Shivam Dube – 34, but then Hardik Pandya. People who booed Hardik Pandya a lot in the last two-and-a-half to three months are singing his praises,” he said.
Chopra noted that Pandya is back at his best after having an ordinary IPL 2024 while leading Mumbai Indians.
“They are saying how well he and India are playing. He has been that guy who has been consistently scoring runs, and he batted very well in this match as well. When Hardik Pandya starts hitting sixes while standing in his position, you know he is at his very best. It seems like he is now in the right space mentally and physically,” Chopra stated.
India will next take on Australia at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Monday.
