India should identify right style of play for 2024 T20 World Cup before picking players: CSK head coach Stephen Fleming

India face a number of selection dilemmas as the T20 World Cup nears the horizon. Among them: should Shivam Dube make the cut? Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming is all in favor of his all-rounder, who’s emerged as a swashbuckling hitter over the past two seasons for the five-time winning franchise. But first, a suggestion.

“The thing for me is, what type of game plan do they (India) want to play during the World Cup? What have they identified as the right style of play for India in an away condition,” Fleming said in a media interaction on Saturday.

“Then put players into that rather than just picking players and trying to find a game plan. I would be looking at the style of play that I would want, and then pick the players that are in-form and can perform the role that will best win that design. It’s probably one of the hardest jobs in world cricket, isn’t it, being an Indian selector. On one hand, very jealous as a New Zealander looking at the amount of talent that is on show and new players every game sort of pop up,” he added.

Fleming then made the case for Dube featuring at the World Cup this summer. “I love his power. I’m biased, aren’t I? But I think when you have a bit different power like that; I would have him in the side,” he said.

Shivam Dube has evolved as a fearsome striker against spin in the IPL. (BCCI)

Having gone out of favor following his T20I debut in 2018, Dube has found his way back into the national side owing to his recent antics with CSK. Since joining the franchise in 2022, Dube has amassed 883 runs from 32 outings. In the ongoing season, Dube has 176 runs from five innings, which includes a half-century.

“A lot of work last year to be honest, working him into that role and trying to use the change of rules to our advantage. He did a lot of work mentally last year on what that would look like, and then it was about opportunity. How long an opportunity would take for us to realise his potential,” Fleming added.

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Pressing on Dube’s ability as a pinch hitter, the former Kiwi skipper added, “Some of the power he can generate both from spin and from seam bowling is quite unique. When he’s in form like this, he’s a real weapon for us during those middle overs.”

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