Former India batsman Robin Uthappa has expressed concern over Shivam Dubey’s fitness for 50-over cricket ahead of the third and final ODI against New Zealand. Uthappa said he does not think the all-rounder is fully prepared for the physical demands of a 50-over match despite the obvious progress in his fitness.
Dubey has played only four ODI matches for India so far, scoring 43 runs and taking one wicket. In List A cricket, he has taken 48 wickets in 62 matches at an average of 38.00 and a good economy rate of 5.33. The left-handed batsman has scored 1121 runs with the bat, which includes one century and three half-centuries.
Don’t think that Shivam Dubey is completely fit for ODI cricket – Robin Uthappa
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Robin Uthappa said that Shivam Dubey has worked hard on his fitness and speed, but the ODI format still places heavy demands on his body. He said that T20 cricket is more suitable for Dubey and also described him as a deceitful bowler.
Uthappa said, “You know, Shivam, I don’t think he is completely fit for ODI cricket. I don’t think his body can handle the whole match. He is not the fastest player on the field.”
He said, “I want to say that he has improved. His fitness has improved, his pace has probably increased by 5 to 10 per cent and his bowling pace has also increased a bit. His running pace, which earlier seemed very heavy for an athlete, has improved after working on it.”
He said, “But I think he has reached the upper limit of that scale. T20 is sustainable for him. And I think he is a deceitful bowler now. When he comes to bowl, the batsmen think that they have to target him and score runs on him and in the process he takes wickets. That is where he gets wickets.”
You don’t expect Hardik Pandya to bowl 10 overs – Irfan Pathan
During the same discussion, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan shared his views on Hardik Pandya’s role with the ball in ODI cricket. He said that India does not expect Hardik to bowl his entire 10 over spell and even seven or eight overs are enough.
“Even if he (Hardik) bowls eight overs, that will work in ODI cricket. You don’t expect him to bowl 10 overs. If he does, great. But even if he bowls seven-eight overs to you regularly, you don’t want anything more,” Pathan said.
Pandya is not playing in the ongoing ODI series against New Zealand. He was not cleared by the BCCI Center of Excellence to bowl a full 10 over spell in a match, due to which he was ruled out of the series.
You see another all-rounder who is like Shivam Dubey – Irfan Pathan.
Irfan Pathan said the team management should plan carefully for Hardik Pandya, who has missed many big tournaments due to injuries. Pathan said it is important to fully support Nitish Kumar Reddy as an all-round option by giving Reddy confidence and consistent support.
Patha further said, “Among all-rounders, you have Hardik. Hardik has missed many big tournaments at important stages. 2018 Asia Cup due to injury, 2023 World Cup, Asia Cup final, all due to injuries.”
“So you need to fully support Nitish Kumar Reddy. You need that. And if you think he doesn’t have that ability, then you look at another all-rounder, a player like Shivam Dubey, who plays T20 cricket.”
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