IPL 2020: Irfan Pathan feels Shivam Dube shouldn't bowl for RCB in death overs

Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a thumping 97-run defeat in their previous IPL 2020 fixture against Kings XI Punjab. The Bangalore side bowed to the batting brilliance of KXIP skipper KL Rahul, who slammed an unbeaten at 132 off only 69 deliveries.

Kohli, on the other hand, had a woeful outing as he missed two catches on the field and gathered only one run off his willow. Apart from his poor individual performance, the RCB skipper was also questioned for his decision to give the ball to Shivam Dube for the 20th over.

Dube, facing a well-set Rahul in the ultimate over, leaked as many as 16 runs off the final three deliveries as KXIP gathered 23 off the last over to post a daunting 206 on the board. The 19th and 20th over went for 49 runs bowled by Dube and Dale Steyn.

Dube bowled well in his first two overs, picking wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran. However, many former cricketers and fans felt that the all-rounder shouldn’t have bowled the ultimate over.

RCB will get better as soon as Chris Morris comes in: Irfan Pathan

Ahead of RCB’s encounter, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has also opined on Dube’s ability to bowl in death. According to Irfan, RCB will get better upon the arrival of their new recruit. Irfan also pointed out RCB’s positives, mentioning the presence of top batsmen like Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal. Eyeing to clinch their second victory in IPL 2020, Kohli and Co will face Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians on September 28 in Dubai International Stadium.

“Look, I think they will get better as soon as Chris Morris comes in. I see Morris coming in, Steyn going out and they are settled. What I don’t want from RCB is Shivam Dube bowling the death overs. They have a better team, they have better batsmen comparatively. They are not just dependent on AB de Villiers or Virat Kohli,” said Irfan on Star Sports’ show Cricket Connected.

“This year they have Aaron Finch as well, Paddikal started very well. So, there are lots of positives, but in the last game, the way they bowled Shivam Dube in the last over. Navdeep Saini should bowl a minimum of 2 overs at the death because he’s the guy who can nail those yorkers as well as he can just bluff the batsmen and bowl bouncers at the death as well,” he added.

Here’s the video:

"@navdeepsaini96 is the player who should bowl two overs for #RCB at the death." – @IrfanPathan

Tell us if you agree with his assessment 👇, & watch him & @Swannyg66 on #CricketConnected.

Mon-Wed | 2 PM & 5 PM | Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar pic.twitter.com/vPriH5dLlk

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) September 28, 2020