Shivam Dube shut critics' mouths with a wicket off the first delivery: Robin Uthappa
Dube was a part of the Indian XI in the fourth and fifth T20Is of the recently-concluded series against England.
All-rounder Shivam Dube and the Indian side were in the midst of controversy after Harshit Rana was brought on to the field for England's run-chase in the fourth T20I of the series, held in Pune. For the unversed, Rana was permitted to replace Dube as a "like-for-like replacement" after the latter was hit by the ball while batting. Rana coming in as Dube's concussion substitute did not go down well with many experts and fans alike.
Former Indian cricketer, Robin Uthappa, highlighted Dube proving Kevin Pietersen wrong by bringing an end to danger man, Phil Salt, on the first ball of his spell in the very next game at the Wankhede Stadium.
“I think it was contentious and Kevin Pietersen wanted to see him bowl, but Shivam Dube shut him up with a wicket off the first delivery. However, it was contentious and there needs to be absolute clarity as far as the law is concerned and the ICC [International Cricket Council] should take care of it," shared Uthappa in a video on his YouTube channel.
A loophole which India utilized: Uthappa
Despite Uthappa acknowledging India leveraging the gap in the rules, he tagged Dube as a proper all-rounder.
“On the concussion substitute, I think there was a loophole which Team India utilized. Obviously, there was approval from the match referee. In the last match, Shivam Dube also picked up two wickets. He’s a proper all-rounder though he bowls 20-25 kph less than Harshit, but still a pretty decent effective bowler," he added.
Also Read: I want both SKY, Dube to perform well in Ranji Trophy knockout: Mumbai selector Sanjay Patil
Notably, Dube dismissed Jacob Bethell on the first delivery of his second over. He ended up with figures of 2/11 in a couple of overs. India ended up winning the game by a whopping 150-run margin after setting up 247 on the board. The three-match ODI series against the visitors is scheduled to commence on Thursday, February 6. India will make their way to the United Arab Emirates for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
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