Suresh Raina Names Shivam Dube as India’s Trump Card for T20 World Cup 2024

May 31, 2024 0 995

Suresh Raina called Shivam Dube India’s ‘trump card’ for the T20 World Cup due to his exceptional six-hitting ability, comparable to Dhoni and Yuvraj.

India’s T20 World Cup preparations are in high gear as Rohit Sharma’s team readies for their opener against Ireland on June 5 in New York. Before the tournament kicks off, India will face Bangladesh in a warm-up match in Nassau County, New York.

With a talented 15-player squad, the challenge is to select a balanced XI, especially considering the unique playing conditions in the US. The opening combination is a hot topic, and many are wondering if Virat Kohli will partner Rohit Sharma.

Kohli had an outstanding IPL season, scoring 741 runs and winning the Orange Cap. However, the emergence of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 435 runs including a century, adds complexity to the selection. Some experts and fans are pushing for a Rohit-Kohli opening duo, but former all-rounder Suresh Raina suggested Kohli should stay at No.3, with Jaiswal opening alongside Rohit.

“I prefer Virat to play at No. 3 in the World Cup. He’s a run machine. Yashavi is in good form, and I’m sure he will do well as an opener. So, in my opinion, Virat should play at number 3,” Raina said during an event in Delhi.

Raina also emphasized the importance of including Shivam Dube in India’s T20 World Cup lineup for his six-hitting skills, which could be a game-changer. He sees Dube as a trump card who could add an extra 20-30 runs, a valuable asset in the tournament. However, the former batter acknowledged that fitting both Dube and Jaiswal into the XI will be a challenge for captain Rohit Sharma.

“Jaiswal is young and he plays fearlessly. The same is the case with Shivam Dube. The management should make a place for him. The way Dube smashes sixes, very few players have such an ability. We have seen Dhoni and Yuvraj doing such power-hitting in the past,” Raina said.

“Dube is your trump card but if Jasiwal is in the XI, then the all-rounder might miss out. So, captain Rohit Sharma has to make the tough decision because Dube’s presence ensures an extra cushion of 20-30 runs,” he added.