New Delhi

Former India batter Manoj Tiwary feels if Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Shivam Dube doesn't get selected for India's T20 World Cup squad then the onus lies on the IPL team. The comments came after Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Hardik Pandya hasn't bowled in last three matches for the team.

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Tiwary suggested that if Pandya has to be in the team then he has to bowl else Dube should be picked ahead of the MI skipper on the basis of his current batting form.

“If he (Pandya) wants to play in the Indian T20 World Cup team as an all-rounder, he has to bowl. Look at his economy rate. It's almost 11. He is not performing this season,” Tiwary said in a conversation with cricket website Cricbuzz.

Also Read: Former India opener backs Rajasthan Royals batter Riyan Parag to be in T20 World Cup squad

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“With this form, Hardik won't be picked in the T20 World Cup. See, Agarkar is a strong character and hence can take those bold decisions. And if Dube is not picked in the T20 World Cup, CSK will be responsible for it, because they are not allowing him to bowl. I have been saying this for a long time, if you want a replacement for Hardik, get Dube ready,” he added.

Tiwary also mentioned that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCC) should be looking at a bigger goal and prepare backup players.

"At one time we also had Venkatesh Iyer. Suddenly, both (Iyer and Dube) of them stopped bowling. We should be looking at the bigger goal. We are talking about the World Cup here and India haven't been able to lift that trophy for a long time. So we have to plan for that ahead of time. Now Hardik is not in form and if you pick Dube in the squad, how much he can perform as a bowler is not known. But as far as I know, Dube is a clever bowler. Remember that T20I series at home against Afghanistan,” he said.

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Notably, the T20 World Cup 2024 starts June 2 after the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season.