Shivam Dube:-At just 23, Riyan Parag has already made a compelling case for an India call up. Known for his aggressive batting and effortless six hitting ability, he blends power with finesse, utilizing his strong wrists to great effect. In addition to his batting prowess, Parag is a genuine all rounder, capable of bowling a full quota of overs. His List A record speaks for itself, with 50 wickets in 45 innings, including three four wicket hauls, further highlighting his versatility.Despite being just 23, Riyan Parag has already competed in seven senior domestic seasons and six IPL editions, accumulating over 1,000 runs. With such an impressive track record at a young age, his inclusion in the Indian squad for major ICC tournaments seems like only a matter of time.
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Shivam Dube’s Role in India’s Champions Trophy 2025 Plans
However, Riyan Parag is not in contention for the Champions Trophy 2025. Instead, the spotlight is on Shivam Dube. The Mumbai all rounder has been named a non traveling substitute alongside Mohammed Siraj and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who missed out on the final squad in favor of spinner Varun Chakravarthy.Dube made his senior domestic debut for Mumbai at 23, which is considered a late start for most young cricketers. However, he brought with him a rare and valuable skill that was fading among modern Indian batters the ability to effortlessly clear the boundary against spinners.
Dube’s Rise to Prominence
Dube was well known on Mumbai’s cricketing circuit for his power hitting, but it wasn’t until 2022 nearly three years after his international debut that he truly grabbed the spotlight. Playing for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), he emerged as a game changer with his fearless approach against spinners, maintaining a striking rate of 156 while smashing 16 sixes and 22 boundaries that season.
A Key Contribution in the 2024 T20 World Cup
Dube’s consistent performances over the next two seasons finally earned him a spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Though he remained relatively quiet for most of the tournament, he delivered when it mattered most, smashing a crucial 27 off 16 balls in the final against South Africa an innings that played a vital role in India’s title winning triumph.
Dube’s Return to ODIs
His impressive run in the shortest format earned him a call up for the 2024 Sri Lanka series, marking his return to ODIs after a five-year gap. Batting lower down the order, he managed only 34 runs across three matches. However, these performances offered little insight, as the Indian team appeared lackluster and directionless under newly appointed coach Gautam Gambhir.
India’s Contingency Plans for Dube in the Champions Trophy
Heading into the Champions Trophy, India appears to have a well-settled squad for the 50 over format. However, they have contingency plans in place for Dube should the need arise to include him in the tournament.
Dube’s Versatility in India’s Line-Up
India currently has five right handed batsmen in the top order: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. With Rishabh Pant unlikely to feature in the playing XI, the team may lack a left handed presence in the top five. As of now, Dube serves as a like for like replacement for Axar Patel due to his left handed batting. Additionally, Dube has the ability to accelerate the scoring rate faster than Axar, boasting a career strike rate of 109 in the 50 over format and 1,089 runs from 44 List A innings.
Dube’s Potential as a Fast-Bowling Allrounder
Dube serves as a true like forlike replacement for Hardik Pandya as a fast bowling all rounder. Should he step in for Pandya during the tournament, and with the rest of the lineup remaining unchanged, India would gain more flexibility in their middle order. They could promote Axar to No. 5, followed by Dube at No. 7, adding more depth and variety to the batting lineup.
Dube as a Replacement for Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja is another player Dube could potentially replace, as both are left-handed batters who bat at No. 6. However, Jadeja’s absence would likely necessitate India playing an additional spinner, as flat pitches are common in Dubai. This would require sacrificing either a proper batter or a pacer to accommodate the extra spinner. For now, Dube is a versatile backup, capable of filling three different roles, making his inclusion a wise decision by Ajit Agarkar and the selection panel.
Dube’s Big Match Temperament
Dube’s performance in the T20 World Cup final and during his time with CSK in the IPL clearly showcased his big match temperament, which transcends formats.