While Dube has been included in the squad mainly for his power-hitting ability, his bowling has come under scrutiny. Kaif pointed out the risks associated with handing the ball at crucial stages of a T20 match, arguing that it could cost the Indian team dearly.
“With the pitch and his plan to bowl alongside Brevis, Dube showed that he wanted to be very defensive. Nobody bowls defensively in the 10th over. You were looking at the attack at that time and trying to take a wicket. I think Dube is a batsman; he is not an all-rounder,” Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
“We don’t need an all-rounder who bowls at a speed of 120 km per hour. He may take the odd wicket but will always go for runs. He can even concede four sixes in an over against the West Indies,” he concluded.
Kaif’s comment reflects concerns over Dube’s lack of consistency with the ball. The Mumbai native had a decent outing with the bat against Proteas, scoring 42 runs, but it wasn’t the same when it came to bowling. He was taken to the cleaners by the South African batters as he conceded 32 runs in just two overs while taking a wicket.
The Men in Blue have used him as a sixth bowling option in this tournament and it has yielded mixed results so far. In three innings, he has taken four wickets with the ball but has a poor economy of 10.63.
Dube’s batting remains a strong asset, but Kaif’s comments indicate his bowling may not inspire the same level of confidence.
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