Hardik Pandya's T20I spot in danger? How ex-cricketers reacted to Shivam Dube's all-round performance in 1st T20I

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Shivam Dube has taken the cricket fraternity by storm with his all-round performance in the first India vs Afghanistan T20I at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on Thursday, January 11.

The all-rounder from Mumbai bowled two overs for nine runs and the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran, before playing a match-winning 60-run knock off just 40 balls in the extremely cold weather conditions.

Shivam Dube's performance garnered more eyeballs as India for long have been looking out for a quality seam-bowling all-rounder. Hardik Pandya has been there but his recurring injuries have put India in a spot of bother on multiple occasions. Hardik got injured in the World Cup 2023 and has once again been unavailable for selection since then.

With the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to be held in June, the resurgence of Shivam Dube has been heartening. His Man of the Match-winning performance impressed the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Subramaniam Badrinath.

Harbhajan Singh has praised Shivam Dube for working on his bowling pace, saying that he can be the long-term pace-bowling all-rounder India are looking for.

"One major change that I saw in Shivam Dube was his bowling pace, he has added a bit of it into his bowling now. His pace has definitely improved and he has clearly worked on his fitness. He can be the long-term pace bowling all-rounder that India are looking for. If Shivam Dube scores runs in the remaining matches as well, it will be difficult to ignore him," Harbhajan Singh said on his YouTube channel.

Irfan Pathan was also impressed by the 30-year-old. Irfan Pathan reckoned that Dube can give Indian side the perfect bowling if he keeps on bowling well regularly. Former India cricketer Subramaniam Badrinath also praised Shivam Dube.

"Excited about Shivam Dube's batting success, yet equally impressed by his two impactful overs. If he can sustain his bowling prowess, he could be a valuable asset, providing the much-needed balance in white-ball cricket. Well done Team India! #INDvsAFG," Irfan Pathan wrote on X.

"SUPER start for the season from Shivam Dube," Badrinath wrote.

Shivam Dube himself admitted that he has been looking for bowling opportunities and was happy to contribute to the team's success. He credited his Chennai Super Kings (CSK) captain for helping him with his game.