"There were naysayers who were asking why are you playing him" - Aakash Chopra lauds Shivam Dube's knock in IND vs BAN 2024 T20 World Cup clash
Aakash Chopra has lauded Shivam Dube for proving the naysayers wrong with his crucial knock in India's 2024 T20 World Cup Super 8 win against Bangladesh. The left-handed big-hitter scored a 24-ball 34 with the help of three sixes when the Men in Blue were in slight trouble.
Dube's knock helped India set Bangladesh a 197-run target after being asked to bat first in Antigua on Saturday, June 22. The Men in Blue then restricted the Bangla Tigers to 146/8 to register an emphatic 50-run win and virtually seal their berth in the semi-finals.
Reflecting on the latter half of India's innings in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra noted that Dube silenced his critics.
"There were naysayers who were asking why are you playing him (Dube). However, the team, captain and Rahul Dravid thought there would be a day when spinners would be operating at the other end on a West Indian pitch and a big ground, and this boy can hit sixes, and he showed that by doing it," he said (3:15).
The former India opener praised the seam-bowling all-rounder for performing the role expected from him.
"He scored 34 runs off 24 balls at a strike rate of 140. He also hit three sixes, didn't hit even a single four, but he showed that he could do this job as well and that he had been selected for this job only. That was a very, very important knock," Chopra observed.
Dube started cautiously, scoring 10 runs off his first 15 balls. He smashed 24 runs off his next eight deliveries before being bowled by Rishad Hossain while attempting another big hit.
"People who booed Hardik Pandya a lot in the last 2.5 to 3 months are singing his praises" - Aakash Chopra
![Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off 27 deliveries. [P/C: BCCI/X]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/6aab1-17191161308266-1920.jpg?w=500)
Aakash Chopra pointed out that Hardik Pandya also provided his detractors wrong.
"It seemed like no one would go above 37. (Virat) Kohli - 37, Rohit (Sharma) - 23, (Rishabh) Pant - 36, Shivam Dube - 34, but then Hardik Pandya. People who booed Hardik Pandya a lot in the last two-and-a-half to three months are singing his praises," he said (3:45).
The reputed commentator added that the Indian vice-captain seems to be back to his former best.
"They are saying how well he and India are playing. He has been that guy who has been consistently scoring runs, and he batted very well in this match as well. When Hardik Pandya starts hitting sixes while standing in his position, you know he is at his very best. It seems like he is now in the right space mentally and physically," Chopra stated.
Hardik joined Shivam Dube in the middle when India were reduced to 108/4 at the fall of Rishabh Pant's wicket. The duo added 53 runs in 5.4 overs before Hardik provided the finishing touches once Dube was dismissed.