Aakash Chopra backs Naman Dhir, questions Shivam Dube’s T20I absence

Eden Park in Auckland will host India’s fourth T20I against New Zealand on October 30, with Shreyas Iyer leading the Men in blue. India have already sealed the series after three consecutive victories, shifting the focus to selection strategy and the form of middle-order batters competing for limited spots in the playing XI.

Cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the selection debate, particularly regarding Naman Dhir‘s retention and Shivam Dube’s continued absence from the squad. Chopra’s assessment highlights the tension between rewarding current form and accommodating experienced players returning to the side.

Chopra opined that, given the kind of form Dhir is in at the moment with the bat in hand, it will not be a good decision to rest him. The former India opener said that if Shivam Dube has to be brought into the line-up, he should replace Nitish Kumar Reddy and not Dhir.

“Criminal to think of benching Naman Dhir in the kind of form that he is in. He’s not being given to bowl. That’s a separate issue. But, he can bowl. He’s capable. As for Shivam Dube, it’s a mystery that he’s not finding a place in the playing 11 somehow. He was actually playing even ODI cricket in England a few months ago. Now he’s not able to find a place in the playing 11 in a T20 setup. Back-to-back T20 World Cup champion. That’s what he is. Performance in the finals as well. So again, if he plays, he plays for Nitish Kumar Reddy, not for Naman Dhir,” Chopra said during a discussion on Cricinfo.

Dhir has demonstrated consistent batting through the series. He struck 42 not out from 15 deliveries in the opening T20I and followed with 31 from 17 balls in the second match. His aggressive approach has been central to India’s success, and Chopra’s observation about Dhir’s bowling capability adds another dimension to the case for his retention. The 26-year-old has bowled only one over across the first three games, yet his batting form alone warrants his place in the XI.

What is Shivam Dube’s case for selection?

Dube, aged 33, has not appeared in any of the three T20Is contested so far. India have preferred Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir in the middle order, leaving the experienced batter on the sidelines. Dube was playing ODI cricket for India in England as recently as July 2026, demonstrating his recent involvement in international cricket. His credentials include victories in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and 2026, underlining the depth of experience he brings to the squad.

Also Read: ‘I take a bit more time’ – Tilak Varma on batting at No. 5 and 6

Chopra’s stance reflects a clear hierarchy in selection priorities. If Dube is to feature in the playing XI, he should replace Reddy rather than Dhir, whose current form does not justify being on the bench. The selection debate underscored the competitive nature of India’s middle order, where multiple players are vying for opportunities in the T20I format.

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