NEW DELHI: Former New Zealand skipper and Chennai Super Kings head coach
Stephen Fleming
has praised Indian all-rounder
Shivam Dube
for his dedication to improving his bowling skills during the 2024 Indian Premier League season. Dube, who is part of India's
T20 World Cup
squad, could play a crucial role with the ball if needed.
T20 World Cup Schedule
Dube bowled consistently in the home series against Afghanistan but only managed a solitary over during the IPL season.
However, Dube's bowling came into focus again when he delivered three overs in the recent warm-up match against Bangladesh. His style of bowling could be advantageous on the low and slow tracks expected in the Caribbean.
Fleming discussed Dube's progress and the impact of the IPL's impact player rule on his development as a bowler.
"If his bowling is the way he talks about it, he's like
Kapil Dev
. He has been working really hard. He worked hard through the IPL. We had a number of players that could do the all-round role, and again, with the impact player rule, it actually diminishes the role of an all-rounder or a part-time bowler who bats well, which is a bit of a shame," Fleming said on ESPNcricinfo.
Dube has taken eight wickets in 21 T20Is, with an average of 45 and an economy rate of 9.86. Despite these modest figures, his tall frame and gentle pace could be beneficial for
Team India
in the T20 World Cup. The team may require overs from players outside the main bowling attack, especially if they opt to play three spinners.
"He's been doing his bowling, he has had his loads up. He can be awkward [to face] in the right conditions, which you'd say would be a little bit slow, where his cutters and change of pace could play a part. He can play a part, he can do a job and he has worked very hard on it," Fleming added.
As Team India prepares to kickstart their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland in New York on Wednesday, the inclusion of Dube in the playing XI remains a point of interest. His contributions, both with the bat and ball, could prove pivotal in India's quest for T20 World Cup success.
English (US) ·