Asia Cup 2025: ‘It is not Shivam Dube in isolation’ – Former India wicketkeeper defends team selection ahead of clash vs Pakistan

Dinesh Karthik opined that India picking Shivam Dube over Arshdeep Singh in the playing XI gives them the batting cushion necessary for playing the ultra-aggressive brand of cricket that has been the template during Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach.

In India’s opening fixture in the Asia Cup against the UAE, some fans and experts were surprised to see Jasprit Bumrah starting as the only specialist pacer in the playing XI, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube being the seam-bowling all-rounders.

However, this strategy allows India to bat deep, with someone like Axar Patel, who batted at No. 5 in last year’s T20 World Cup final, likely to walk in at No. 8.

“Whoever I add in isn’t going to add much in terms of what this team could be doing. Let’s say for example you put an Arshdeep Singh in place of Shivam Dube. Yes, he will give you a little bit more with the ball but that little bit is not worth what Shivam Dube gives me with the bat. It is not Shivam Dube in isolation. It’s what the team can do having that extra batter. So the whole batting approach changes,” Karthik told.

The Men in Blue have won 14 out of the 16 T20Is they have played since Gambhir has taken charge as the head coach. Karthik praised India’s approach and said that it requires them to have as many batters as possible in the playing XI. The former India wicketkeeper said that the Asian giants have a clear blueprint with bat and ball, and that is a good sign ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.

“I like this because of the way they play now, which is high intensity and high octane cricket, taking huge risks at the top and irrespective of the situation, going at a certain pace. And if you want to tick all those boxes, you need that extra batter. India are a strong team in the lead up to this World Cup because they know what they want to do. They have a clear blueprint with bat and ball and they stick to it, which is always a good sign six months before a World Cup,” Karthik concluded.