IPL 2024: CSK star explains why Dube and Hardik are not fighting for the same spot in T20 World Cup

Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ambati Rayudu feels Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya are not competing for the same spot in the T20 World Cup. India's T20 WC squad is set to be announced soon and all eyes are on the all-rounder's department. It remains to be seen if India opt for Dube, who was been in good form both in national colours and for CSK, or if Hardik will make a national comeback since the 2023 ODI World Cup.

While many former cricketers and experts feel that only one among Dube and Hardik will make it to India's squad, Rayudu feels they aren't competing with each other for a slot. Talking about Dube, the left-hander scored a brisk 27-ball 66 for CSK in their match againstLucknow Super Giants (LSG) which the former lost bysix wicketsafter putting a mammoth210/4 on the board,courtesy of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad's 108*, in match 39 of IPL 2024 on Tuesday (April 23). Dube has so far amassed 311 runs, with three fifties, in eight games at a strike-rate of 169.94. Meanwhile, Hardik has struggled to make an impact with bat and ball -- claiming only four wickets and looking mostly rusty with the bat (scoring 151 runs at 21.57 and a strike rate of 142.45.

Speaking on ESPNCricinfo, Rayudu explained how Dube plays an entirely different role to that of Hardik in India colours.

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'I feel Hardik and Jadeja have the finisher's role in the Indian team'

He stated, "Both of them are not competing for the same spot. Hardik and Jadeja are finishers in the Indian team, and Dube is the kind of batter who comes in at No. 4 or 5. When the spinners are operating and conditions are slow, he can hit boundaries and accelerate to change the game. But between overs 16 and 20, Dube's strike rate isn't that high, he fails to hit that many runs. So I feel Hardik and Jadeja have that role in the Indian team."

At present, Dube looks like a certainty in India's T20 WC squad whereas questions are being raised on Hardik given the Mumbai Indians (MI) captain's strugglewith both bat and ball and as a leader in the ongoing IPL season.

Talking about the CSK-LSG match, Chennai were asked to bat first and soon reduced to 49-2 before Gaikwad-Dube's 104-run fourth-wicket stand bailed them out and took the team score to 210-4. In reply, Lucknow won the high-scoring thriller owing to Marcus Stoinis' splendid 124 not out, laced with 13 fours and 6 sixes at 196.83.