Shivam Dube to Join Indian Team in Rajkot for T20Is Against England Following Reddy's Injury

Synopsis

Shivam Dube will replace injured Nitish Kumar Reddy in India's T20I squad for the series against England. Reddy's side strain occurred during practice, sidelining him for weeks. Dube's inclusion comes ahead of the third T20I in Rajkot. He has had a successful return to form in domestic cricket after recovering from a back injury.

Key Takeaways

Shivam Dube joins India's T20I squad.
Nitish Kumar Reddy suffers a side strain.
Reddy's recovery estimated at 3-4 weeks.
Dube was part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup win.
India won the first T20I against England by seven wickets.

New Delhi, Jan 25 (NationPress) Seam-bowling all-rounder Shivam Dube is set to join India’s T20I squad for the ongoing five-match series against England after fellow all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy suffered an injury ahead of the second T20I scheduled for Saturday evening.

Sources from the BCCI informed IANS that Reddy sustained a side strain during the Indian team’s practice session at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday, with recovery time estimated at three to four weeks following scans.

Consequently, the Indian team has called upon Dube to join ahead of the third T20I, taking place in Rajkot on January 28. Dube was part of India’s victorious campaign at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup last year in the West Indies and the USA. His last appearance for India was in August 2024 during an ODI series in Sri Lanka.

He missed India's 3-0 T20I series victory against Bangladesh due to a back injury, which also sidelined him at the start of the Ranji Trophy. Dube returned to play for Mumbai in the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 151 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 179.76, while also claiming three wickets with an economy of 9.31, contributing to the team’s title win. Recently, Dube played for Mumbai in a Ranji Trophy match against Jammu and Kashmir, where he scored a duck in both innings while taking one wicket as Mumbai faced a five-wicket defeat at the Sharad Pawar MCA Cricket Academy Ground in the Bandra Kurla Complex on Saturday.

India secured victory in the first T20I against England at Eden Gardens in Kolkata by seven wickets with 43 balls to spare. In that match, Reddy made two catches, including a remarkable diving catch, but did not have the opportunity to bowl or bat.

Before the second T20I in Chennai, India faced another injury concern when left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma twisted his right ankle and was seen limping during practice, raising questions about his availability for Saturday's match.