Shivam Dube out, Sanju Samson again?

All but guaranteed a spot in the T20 World Cup Super 8, India Cricket Team will take on hosts USA in their penultimate Group A clash on Wednesday. While Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid do not prefer breaking the winning combination, there is a case to be made for Sanju Samson in India Playing XI. With Shivam Dube out of form, Rohit-Dravid can give Samson a go in the India vs USA before the Super 8 stage.

So far, the New York pitch hasn’t suited batters. But that India went from 89/3 to 119 all out against Pakistan, it should serve the team as a warning sign. India lost the last 7 wickets for 30. Only Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel put up a fight. And that needs to change in India vs USA match.

Shivam Dube out?

The Hardik Pandya backup was called up to the T20 World Cup team all thanks to his superb show with the bat against spin. However, that seems to be past for now. Since his call-up to India squad, Shivam Dube has hit a rut.

Shivam Dube since T20 WC call-up

• 3: India vs Pakistan
• 0*: India vs Ireland
• 14 & 2/13: India vs Bangladesh
• 7: CSK vs RCB
• 18: CSK vs RR
• 21: CSK vs GT
• 0: CSK vs PBKS
• 0 & 1/14: CSK vs PBKS

His limited role as an Impact Player with Chennai Super Kings has also proved to be a problem as Shivam Dube’s fielding has been poor. With the ball, he did well against Bangladesh but Rohit Sharma is yet to trust him with a full-time bowling role. That limits his role in the team to a batter’s alone.

However, with the batter Shivam Dube misfiring, especially against spin, it might be time to look at the other two options in Yashasvi Jaiswal or Sanju Samson in India vs USA match.

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Sanju Samson vs Yashasvi Jaiswal?

India need to strengthen their batting after a poor display against Pakistan. Virat Kohli is still struggling to get adjusted to the conditions while Shivam Dube is out of form and so is Hardik Pandya, the batter. That demands an extra batter and the only sacrifice India can make is Shivam Dube.

While India did try Sanju Samson in the warm-up clash, he did not give a good account of himself, scoring just 1. That his form has also dipped after a great run in IPL 2024 cannot be denied. But Samson seems to be the ideal choice if Virat Kohli is to retain his spot as the opener. Samson can play the No 5 role.

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However, the best option would be to have Rishabh Pant at No 5 with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the innings with Rohit Sharma. That will also give Virat Kohli his place back at No 3. But that does not seem to be in the plans.

Rohit Sharma confirmed that other batting positions could change barring the opening slot. That could deny Yashasvi Jaiswal a shot.

As for bowling, Rohit Sharma could take “don’t fix anything that isn’t broken” approach. The pace unit has been firing from all cylinders so far and India will stick to three upfront seamers.

Predicted India Playing XI vs USA

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Virat Kohli
3. Rishabh Pant (WK)
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Shivam Dube/ Sanju Samson
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Axar Patel
9. Jasprit Bumrah
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Mohd Siraj

Editors pick