Rinku Singh vs Shivam Dube - Who should be picked in India's T20I squad based on their IPL 2023 performance?
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for producing cricketers who have brought success for the Indian national team. The like of Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishan Kishan and Ravindra Jadeja first tasted success in the IPL, and thereafter, have replicated their performances in T20Is.
IPL 2023 has witnessed a few young cricketers who have set the stage on fire with their consistent match-winning performances.
Amongst the said youngsters, Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh have made a strong case for their selection in the T20I team. With the 2024 T20 World Cup being a year away, the Indian management could look to groom a few youngsters in the shortest format.
Here is a look at Shivam Dube and Rinku Singh's performances in IPL 2023.
Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube has been in terrific form in IPL 2023. The 29-year-old all-rounder has made the No. 4 position his own in the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batting order. His form with the bat has been vital in the team's success this season.
In 14 innings in IPL 2023, the left-hander has scored 385 runs at an astounding strike rate of 160.42 and an average of 38.50. 2023 has been the most productive season for Dube with the bat in the five years he has played IPL cricket. He has scored three half-centuries in the current season and is definitely one of the contenders for the middle-order spot in the Indian T20I team.
Rinku Singh
Dil aur awards, dono jeet liye, Rinku! 🫶 https://t.co/iIG7dqUw7q
Rinku Singh has stunned one and all with his heroics in IPL 2023. His five sixes in the last over against the Gujarat Titans (GT) to win the game for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) remains one of the best finishes to a game in the history of the IPL.
Apart from the said innings, Singh has proved to be a match-winner on numerous occassions this season. In 14 innings, the left-hander has scored 474 runs at an impressive average of 59.25 and a strike rate of almost 150. He has scored four half-centuries for his franchise this year. He has been perfectly playing the role of a finisher, especially while chasing a target.
Shivam Dube vs Rinku Singh? Who should be picked in the Indian T20I team based on IPL 2023 performances?
Both Dube and Singh have proven to be match-winners for their respective franchises this season.
While Dube has had the support of his teammates and CSK has been on a winning spree, Singh has often been left with the burden of winning the game single-handedly while the rest of the KKR batters have struggled with the bat. Dube has been nurtured under the able captaincy of MS Dhoni and Singh has played under a relatively inexperienced skipper in Nitish Rana.
Singh slightly holds the advantage over Dube as far as being selected in the Indian T20I squad is concerned, considering the fact that he has the ability to finish games on his own. Though it could be a bit too early to predict, Singh has the ability to win games like MS Dhoni by taking it deep and thereafter providing the finishing touches.
He has played the best of bowlers with ease in IPL 2023 and should be groomed by the Indian team management as a finisher in the shortest format. With the T20 World Cup 2024 a year away, Singh should be given a consistent run in the middle order to strengthen his position in the Indian team.
Meanwhile, Dube has played for India in the past without much success. His transition from IPL cricket was not very successful as he averages only 17.5 in nine T20I innings. He could have to wait for his turn to make a comeback to the Indian team.