Badrinath says Reddy and Dhir have made Dube's T20I return difficult
Badrinath said Dube faces a tough return to the T20I XI after strong showings from Reddy and Dhir.
Former India batsman Subramaniam Badrinath said Shivam Dube will find it difficult to return to the T20I XI after recent performances by Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir in the New Zealand series.
Badrinath told his YouTube channel that Reddy and Dhir offer batting, bowling and strong fielding, while Dube remains one-dimensional. He noted that Dube's fielding and fitness are areas of concern and that his opportunities depend on possible injuries to others.
Badrinath praised Dhir's 31 and 42 not out in the last two T20Is against New Zealand and said the 26-year-old is establishing himself as a finisher. Naman Dhir completed a diving catch at long-on to dismiss Finn Allen for 40 during the third T20I at Wellington on October 27.
CricHubb Take
The shift marks a broader move toward all-round utility in India's T20I middle order, where fielding impact and bowling options now weigh more heavily than pure batting power.