Former batter Aakash Chopra was surprised by the way Shivam Dube was treated during the five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Although he admitted that Nitish Kumar Reddy has done a decent job for the national team, Chopra called Dube a proven finisher with the bat in T20Is.

India secured a 3-2 win over New Zealand despite losing the last two games. The captain and coach played Nitish in all five fixtures while Dube warmed the benches.

“Dube scored runs in the Asian Games 2026 final and competed in ODIs against England. You can’t say that he is not needed. I will be surprised if he is removed from the team on a permanent basis. Nitish Kumar Reddy was impressive and is a better bowler, but Dube is a better finisher.

“What the team management wants from a player might decide the selection. We must also know about the thought process. Nitish can bowl, but Dube will finish games for you. World Cup finals, Asian Games and Asia Cup are the places where Shivam Dube gave his best. I don’t want to write him off,” Chopra said.

In four innings against New Zealand, Reddy amassed 71 runs at an average of 35.50 and a strike rate of 165.12. He took four wickets at an economy rate of 11.23.

Dube made crucial contributions for India

India’s all-rounder Shivam Dube is renowned for making match-winning contributions in big matches. He has been scoring runs when India needed them in major clashes over the years.

In the IND vs SA 2024 T20 World Cup final, he accumulated 27 off 16 balls, laced with three boundaries and a six. He also posted 33 off 22 against Pakistan in the Asian Games 2025 final in Dubai.

The southpaw scored an unbeaten 26 off 8 balls in the 2026 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In the Asian Games 2026 final against Pakistan, Dube contributed 27 off 15.