With the five-match T20I series currently level at 1-1, India will enter the fourth game against Australia with momentum after a five-wicket win in the third T20I. The team made three changes in the previous match, and each one proved successful as Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, and Jitesh Sharma delivered impactful performances.
However, one player who failed to make a positive contribution was all-rounder Shivam Dube. He not only struggled with the ball, conceding 43 runs in three overs, but also continued his poor run with the bat, raising questions over his place in the playing XI.
With alternatives like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh available, the Indian team management may consider dropping Dube to strengthen both batting depth and bowling balance. Here are three reasons why India should think seriously about replacing Shivam Dube for the crucial 4th T20I.
Struggles With The Ball In Australian Conditions
India will face Australia in the fourth T20I at Carrara Oval on November 6 with the series tied 1-1. While the team is coming off a confident five-wicket win, Shivam Dube’s bowling has become a concern. In the third T20I, he was taken apart by the Australian batters, giving away 43 runs in just three overs.
His medium pace, which proved effective in the Asia Cup, couldn’t trouble the batters on Australian pitches. Tim David struck boundaries in his first over, Marcus Stoinis hit back-to-back sixes in the next, and Matthew Short further piled on the pressure. With Nitish Kumar Reddy returning from injury and available for selection, India may look to bring him in as a like-for-like all-round option who can offer more control with the ball.
Lack Of Impactful Batting In Recent Matches
Dube’s inconsistent run with the bat is another major reason his spot is under scrutiny. Since the 2025 Asia Cup, he has scored only 54 runs in five innings, with scores of 4, 33, 2, 5, and 10*. Even against weaker opponents like Oman and Bangladesh, he failed to make an impression.
From the 2024 T20 World Cup onwards, he has scored just 176 runs in nine innings at an average of 22, with only one fifty to his name. At a time when India needs middle-order stability and power-hitting, his form appears unreliable. If Nitish Kumar Reddy is match-fit, the team may prefer his all-round ability over Dube’s declining returns.
Team’s Reduced Trust In His Batting Role
The biggest sign of doubt came in the second T20I when the Indian management sent Harshit Rana ahead of Dube in the batting order. When he did get a chance, he hit a boundary but fell the very next ball. This hesitation shows that the team doesn’t fully trust him in pressure situations in Australia.
Someone like Rinku Singh, who has proven finishing ability and an impressive strike rate of 161.76 in T20Is, could be a strong replacement. Rinku has already won crucial matches for India and can even roll his arm over for part-time off-spin. With 550 runs and three fifties in 25 innings, he provides both stability and explosiveness—qualities India currently needs more than Dube’s uncertain form.
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