Former Team India captain Kris Srikkanth criticized Shivam Dubey after his disappointing all-round performance in the fifth T20 match against England. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka, Srikkanth said that Dubey’s place in the Indian team had become a “joke” due to his frequent fielding mistakes.
India suffered a 56-run defeat in Southampton on Saturday, July 11. England achieved a historic 4-0 T20I series win and moved up to the No. 1 spot in the ICC men’s T20I rankings. Dubey dropped a crucial catch early in the innings, giving a life to Harry Brook, before the England batsman scored an unbeaten 95.
“It’s a joke that he is an international cricketer” – Kris Srikkanth criticizes Shivam Dubey
Kris Srikkanth said Shivam Dubey’s repeated mistakes in the field have hurt India’s chances. Srikkanth also questioned Dubey’s place in the national team, including his selection ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy for the ODI series.
“It is impossible to do anything with Shivam Dubey on the field. He is flailing around the ball. How can you win matches with his fielding? He keeps giving up targets, be it in the IPL or in international cricket. It is a joke that he is an international cricketer and an all-rounder.”
The crucial moment came in the sixth over when Prince Yadav forced Harry Brook to top edge. Shivam Dubey ran back from the field but misjudged the catch and missed Brook’s catch when he was playing on just three runs. Brook scored an unbeaten 95 and played a key role in England’s huge score.
“Prince Yadav’s analysis was ruined because of Shivam Dubey’s drop catch” – Chris Srikkanth on Shivam Dubey’s drop catch
Chris Srikkanth said that the dropped catch of Shivam Dubey spoiled the bowling figures of Prince Yadav. He also said that the all-rounder has not performed enough to justify his place in the team.
“Prince Yadav’s analysis was ruined only because of Dubey’s drop. Not only did he drop the catch, but he fell on the ground with the ball. If Dubey had taken that catch, things could have been different for Prince and India. The joke is that Dubey is Nitish Kumar Reddy’s replacement in the ODI team. What great job has Dubey done to be picked everywhere? He is guaranteed to drop only one catch and give 30 runs. Are you picking him for this? Are?”
Brook took full advantage of the relief and made a record 233-run partnership with Jos Buttler. Dubey later dismissed Buttler in the 19th over, but conceded 22 runs in his only over and scored only 14 runs during India’s chase.
“Akshar Patel is clearly finished as a bowler” – Chris Srikkanth on Axar Patel’s poor form
Chris Srikkanth also criticized Axar Patel after his expensive outing. The former Indian captain said that Akshar should be dropped from the team and Krunal Pandya should be given a chance in his place. Srikkanth said Axar has struggled on flat pitches as he lacks enough variation in the ball.
“Axar Patel is clearly finished as a bowler. He can only bowl his flat and straight bowling in India. He is getting smashed in every corner of the ground in every match. Krunal Pandya should play in his place. He will bowl at least one bouncer and try other variations.”
“He has bowled well on the flat pitches of Bengaluru… Axar has been given enough chances and he should be dropped now. This is very unfair to Krunal Pandya. Everyone has seen that Axar has no turn and will only bowl flat. Barring rare matches, Axar is getting thrashed at will. He doesn’t even score runs with the bat and gets thrashed with the ball again and again.”
Akshar had to struggle during the five-match T20 series against England. His average with the ball was 78.00 with an economy rate of 11.14. In the final T20I in Southampton, he conceded 63 runs in four wicketless overs and scored only three runs with the bat.