Irfan Pathan suggests India to pick Shivam Dube ahead of Rishabh Pant for T20 World Cup: 'He's murdering spinners'

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Shivam Dube is making all the right noises and Irfan Pathan has also joined the chorus of former cricketers backing him to feature in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad.

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player has reinvented himself ever since joining the five-time champions in 2022. He scored 289 runs at an average of 28.90, and a strike rate of 156.22 in his debut season for CSK.

The following season saw him score 418 runs in 16 matches at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 158.33. The 30-year-old has started the IPL 2024 on a strong note as well. The first four matches have seen him score 148 runs in four matches at an average of 49.33 and a strike rate of 160.86.

The Mumbai all-rounder has also done well after his return in the Indian T20I side last year. He was adjudged Player of the Series for scoring 124 runs and picking two wickets in the 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan in January.

After Shivam Dube scored 45 runs off 24 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Friday, former India cricketer Yuvraj Singh made a post on X, suggesting that the hard-hitting batter could be India's X-factor at the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Irfan Pathan, who played with Yuvraj and was part of the team which won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, also gave his backing to Shivam Dube to be India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Talking about Dube, who hammered four sixes against SRH, Irfan Pathan said the right-hander was literally 'murdering' spinners.

“I would definitely select, if I would have been the selector, I will be keeping a close eye on him. And I would actually take him in T20 World Cup squad because he's actually murdering the spinners. He doesn't need to go out there and try to get set against spinners. And we have seen this in this IPL and previous season as well, we have seen him against quality wrist spinners, against finger spinners," Irfan Pathan said while speaking exclusively to Star Sports on Cricket Live Show.

Irfan Pathan said Shivam Dube was the only batter after Hardik Pandya and Rinku Singh who can play in a fearless fashion in the middle order. He also explained why Dube should be picked over Rishabh Pant.

"And when you have a batter like that, why you don't want to take advantage of him? Mind you, he's not a bad batter against fast bowlers as well. People forget that he comes from Mumbai. And in Mumbai, you'll see a lot of bounce as well. So he's not as bad as well. Rightly, you know, when Yuvraj Singh said what he said, I'll definitely think he should be there. Because, who are the cricketers out there who can actually play in the middle overs, who can finish the game, who can actually literally finish the spinners? We have Hardik Pandy and Rinku Singh.

"Who else is there, Rishabh Pant if he is fit enough to play. But Rishabh, if you bowl him outside the off-stump, unless he uses the switch hit, there we have seen some restriction in his play. So, who else is there? Shivam Dubey, I don't think so any other guy who comes even close when it comes to hitting and actually finishing and murdering the spinners," Irfan Pathan said.

Matthew Hayden also backs Shiva Dube for T20 World Cup spot

Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden also backed Shivam Dube. He said his style of play could suit the conditions in the West Indies. He reminded everyone that Dube has been consistent over the last few seasons.

”The conditions which don't bounce a lot. Now, I know the first game is going to be up in New York for India against Pakistan, but generally, power hitters who love to hit the ball in these sort of ranges, they can really dominate in the Caribbean. So that's an exciting prospect, actually," Matthew Hayden told Star Sports.

"And, we're talking about Indian selection with IPL and they go hand in hand because of the pressure, dovetailing, performances together. Yuvraj Singh and Irfan Pathan, their eyes light up when they see the possibility of the inclusion of Shivam Dube. I think it's an interesting call and a watch this space, certainly. And he's not doing it this season, he has done it last year as well. He has done it for a very long period of time. Last year also he was top class," he added.