Team India all-rounder Shivam Dube on Friday drew criticism from the fans after a second consecutive poor performance with the bat, which resulted in the visitors failing to post a sizeable total. Dube was dismissed for just 12 runs off 9 deliveries, after managing to accumulate just three runs off seven deliveries in the previous clash.
The 26-year-old attempted a big slog sweep following a floated delivery on off, without any timing and a desperate drag. The ball went high up in the air and flew between deep mid-wicket and long on. Daryl Mitchell and Tom Bruce came running from both the positions, with Bruce completing the catch finally. Dube's dismissal resulted in the Indian team losing half their side, leaving the fans annoyed and bemused. Here are some of the reactions from the fans:
Shivam Dube is just a left handed version of 3D Vijay Shankar. Neither a good batsman nor a proper bowler. Wrong fit in the team and clearly wasting a spot #INDvsNZ
— Mr. K (@kirr_dev) January 31, 2020
@im_manishpandey
— Vishesh Koul (@visheshkoul7) January 31, 2020
Don't know why we persisted with the likes of Rayudu and Vijay Shankar when we had him all the time.
he needs to be in the 11.
Even today Management promoted Dube instead of Pandey when we needed a partnership. Inexplicable @SGanguly99
I just don’t get what they see in Dube Ji that we don’t on pitch
— .. (@niharfc) January 31, 2020
Seems indian team management is being unfair to Manish Pandey. Shivam dube ahead of Pandey never a fair call#INDvsNZ
— Shekhar Tyagi (@shekhartyagi7) January 31, 2020
Dube can't bend and he doesn't run outside or inside the circle fast enough .
— pavankumar (@pavankumarmsc9) January 31, 2020
The Indian team has set a target of 166 runs for the Black Caps, who are targeting their maiden win in the T20I series.