All-rounder Shivam Dube has been selected to replace the injured Nitish Reddy in the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, as announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday. The tour will feature five T20 Internationals, all scheduled to take place in Harare, beginning on July 6.
BCCI mentioned that medical team is monitoring Nitish’s progress
In a statement, the BCCI said, “The men’s selection committee named Shivam Dube as the replacement for the injured Nitish Reddy in India’s squad for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe.” The BCCI also mentioned that its medical team is closely monitoring Nitish Reddy’s progress to ensure his recovery.
Reddy was crucial to Sunrisers Hyderabad during the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season and was named the team’s Emerging Player. The 21-year-old demonstrated his batting ability by amassing 303 runs with a strike rate of 142.92 and an average of 33.67. His most memorable innings, which included eight sixes and three fours, came against the Rajasthan Royals. He scored a match-winning 76 runs off 42 balls in that innings. Reddy also took three wickets at medium speed with his bowling, including a noteworthy two-for-17 against the Delhi Capitals.
Along with Reddy, Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma received their maiden call-ups to the national squad for the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe as a reward for their outstanding performances in the previous IPL season. Under Shubman Gill’s leadership, the Indian team will embark on this tour, giving a number of emerging talent showcases on a global scale.
Given that they are currently competing in the T20 World Cup in the Americas, it has been decided to rest key players including skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah. The goal of this relaxation break is to get them ready for the gruelling cricket season that lies ahead. Younger players now have the opportunity to contribute to the team’s success and earn important experience because of their absence.
Shivam Dube’s presence gives the team more depth thanks to his versatility. Dube is a capable alternative for the injured Reddy because of his reputation for hard-hitting batting and practical medium pace, as well as his international experience.
The upcoming series in Zimbabwe offers a blend of experienced and young players, aiming to strike a balance between building for the future and achieving immediate success. With matches being held in Harare, it will be a test for the Indian team to adapt and perform in different conditions. This tour serves as a significant opportunity for emerging players to leave their mark on the international stage.
