Shivam Dube has shown promising signs of improvement in his bowling over the last year or so, but Mohammed Kaif remains unconvinced. The former Indian cricketer said he considers Dube a pure batter, not an all-rounder, following his poor performance with the ball in the loss to South Africa. Dube conceded 32 runs in the two overs he bowled and picked up just one wicket as South Africa staged a comeback with the bat and took the game away from the hosts.
This year, Dube has seven wickets in 10 matches at an average of 19.57. But his economy-rate is above 10 and in the ongoing T20 World Cup, he has leaked runs with the ball. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kaif said that Dube started to go defensive in the 10th over, when he should have tried to attack.
The former cricketer said that India doesn’t need an all-rounder who bowls at 120 kph as Dube will always be susceptible to giving away runs.
“With the field and his plan to bowl wide to Brevis, Dube showed that he wanted to be very defensive. Nobody bowls defensively in the 10th over. You looked to attack and try to take a wicket at that time. According to me, Dube is a batter; he is not an all-rounder,” said Kaif.
“We don’t need an all-rounder who bowls at 120 kph. He might take an odd wicket but will always go for runs. He can even concede four sixes in an over against West Indies.”
‘MAINTAIN BALANCE’
Kaif also slammed India’s use of too many left-handers in the playing XI and called for Sanju Samson’s inclusion into the side for the clash against Zimbabwe.
“There should be a balance in everything. We have gone overboard with lefties, where there are six left-handed batters in the top eight. Hardik is coming at No. 5 for the left-right combination. If you think it could be your winning formula, make a squad keeping that in mind. Bring in Sanju to get that left-right combination,” said Kaif.
India need to beat Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26 to keep their semi-final hopes alive
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