India vs Bangladesh: Shivam Dube set to make his international debut in the first T20I

India and Bangladesh will lock horns on Sunday in the first of the three-match T20I series in Delhi. Both the teams are preparing for the T20 World Cup in Australia next year and accordingly, the hosts have included a few fringe players in the squad to test them out. Shivam Dube is one of those who has been picked thanks to an injury to Hardik Pandya and the all-rounder is set to make his international debut in the series opener itself.

Dube hogged the limelight last year during the domestic season last year after which he was picked in the IPL by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Though he couldn’t make much of an impact the left-hander kept on improving and had a brilliant Vijay Hazare Trophy this season. A scintillating ton against Karnataka impressed the selectors and virtually was selected to play for India.

Shivam Dube’s dream comes true

Rohit Sharma, in the pre-match presser on Saturday, didn’t say clearly but dropped enough hints about either Shivam Dube or Sanju Samson getting a chance to play. However, the report in Mumbai Mirror states that the former will definitely play as India search like-for-like for Hardik Pandya who is currently recovering from the back injury.

“We will assess now and probably a bit before the game as well. But both (Sanju and Dube) are definitely in the fray. One of them might definitely play. You might see in playing XI,” Rohit had said while speaking to the reporters ahead of the first T20I. It will be interesting to see how the youngster fares if he indeed makes his debut on Sunday.

On Saturday, Shivam Dube expressed his excitement to be part of team India while also stating that it was his dream to represent the country at the highest level. “I am feeling good after being a part of the team. It was my dream to play for India,” the all-rounder said in a video posted on BCCI’s official website. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson might have to wait to make a comeback in India colours.

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