“On what basis does he continue getting picked?”

Former Indian captain Kris Srikkanth launched a scathing attack on all-rounder Shivam Dube retaining his place in the side for the upcoming Zimbabwe T20I series. Despite helping India win back-to-back T20 World Cup titles in 2024 and 2026, the 33-year-old has tapered off over the past few T20Is.

Dube struggled massively in the most recent T20I series against England, averaging a dismal 21.25 at a strike rate of 130.76 in five matches. Furthermore, the veteran remains a liability on the field, dropping several straightforward catches in the IPL and international cricket.

Talking about Dube’s place in India’s T20I side, Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, Cheeky Cheeka (6:50):

“What kind of luck does he have? He never gets dropped. Even if there is thunder or lightning, Shivam Dube will always be there. Batting and bowling alone doesn’t make a cricketer. Fielding is a very important aspect in the game today. If you take fielding into account, Dube gets zero. So on what basis does he continue getting picked? There are so many other young players that have done well in the IPL.”

Overall, Dube boasts a T20I batting average of 29.50 and a strike rate of almost 152 in 71 matches. He has also contributed with the ball, taking 36 wickets at an average of 26.22 despite a poor economy of 9.79.

“He needs to be given 10 consecutive matches in the playing 11” – Kris Srikkanth on Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Kris Srikkanth urged Team India to play 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi for a series of matches without dropping him from the playing XI. The youngster debuted for India in the recent T20I series in England, following an incredible IPL 2026 season.

However, after three low scores in his first three outings, Suryavanshi was excluded from the playing 11 for the series finale.

“He needs to be given 10 consecutive matches in the playing 11. He shouldn’t be given three-match stretches. If they give him all three matches in this series and tell him to play his game with no fear, he’ll surely win India two matches. You have to just infuse confidence in him. I pray to god that he scores big in this series as I want him to be a permanent fixture in the T20I side and hopefully in ODIs also in the future,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

Suryavanshi is expected to open with Abhishek Sharma in the first of the three T20Is against Zimbabwe at Harare today (July 23).