NEW DELHI: Former head coach Ravi Shastri has identified two debutants, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube, as pivotal to India’s aspirations in the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, to be held in the Caribbean and the USA in June.Both players have been included in India’s 15-member squad for the tournament, with Shastri highlighting their potential to make a significant impact on the team’s performance.Jaiswal showcased his exceptional batting prowess during the ICC World Test Championship series against England, amassing a record tally of runs, thereby earning his place in the T20 squad. Meanwhile, Dube’s explosive batting displays in the ongoing IPL, where he has smashed 26 sixes in 11 matches, underscore his current form and the potential value he brings to the Indian team.As India gears up for the T20 World Cup campaign, the inclusion of Jaiswal and Dube adds depth and firepower to the squad, with Shastri expressing confidence in their ability to deliver match-winning performances on the global stage.“The two gentlemen you’ve got to watch out for, and both are left-handers, both playing their first World Cup,” Shastri told ICC.“One is (Yashasvi) Jaiswal. We know a lot about him, he did extremely well against England, explosive at the top of the order, left-hander, he’s young, he’s fearless and he’ll play shots.”Shastri went on to pick Dube as another player to watch out for from the Indian squad.“But there’s someone in the middle order, please watch out for (him), because he is explosive, he’s devastating and he’s a match-winner. He hits sixes for fun, and when it comes to spin bowling, he can kill you,” Shastri said.“He’ll park a few balls out of Long Island into the small island, he’s that kind of a player. He hits it big, he hits it long, and like I said, against spin, he could kill you.“Even against the fast bowlers, he’s worked out his game, he’s understood the way to play and I think he holds the key at that number five, number six position because if you’re on the doldrums, you want someone to change it in 20-25 balls, he’s the player to go to.”Dube’s impressive performances in IPL 2024 have been characterised by his exceptional strike rate of 170.73, coupled with an impressive batting average of over 40. In 11 IPL matches this year, Dube has amassed a total of 350 runs, showcasing his ability to consistently contribute with the bat at a rapid pace.The left-hander was singled out for huge praise by Shastri, who thinks that Dube’s big-hitting could unlock big totals for India in the competition.“His strike rate, which will be close to 200 most of the time, will help India immensely in going forward, getting those 190s, 200s that are needed in big competitions, especially like the (T20) World Cup.“So enjoy it, watch out for this left-hander — he’s big, he’s strapping, and he hits a long ball.”(With IANS inputs)
