IND vs ENG: Shivam Dube all set to join the Indian squad as Nitish Reddy's replacement
Xtra Time Web Desk: Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube has been called up to the Indian squad for the remaining three T20Is against England as a replacement for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who sustained a side strain during practice. Reddy picked up the injury on January 24 in Chennai ahead of the second T20I and has been ruled out of the ongoing five-match series.
“All-rounder Nitish Reddy sustained a side strain injury in the practice session on 24th January in Chennai. He is ruled out of the ongoing 5-match T20I series. Reddy will head to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru for further management,” read a statement from the BCCI.
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Meanwhile, Rinku Singh, who suffered a lower back spasm during the first T20I on January 22, has been ruled out of the second and third matches. “Rinku Singh sustained a low back spasm while fielding in the 1st T20I against England on 22nd January. He is progressing well, and the BCCI medical team is monitoring him closely,” the statement added.
To bolster the squad, the selectors have also included Ramandeep Singh alongside Shivam Dube. Dube is set to join the team in Rajkot ahead of the third T20I, scheduled for January 28.
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Dube, who last played for India in July 2024, was part of the T20 World Cup-winning squad and contributed with 133 runs, including a vital knock of 27 in the final against South Africa. Despite a challenging return to domestic cricket, where he registered a pair against Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy, the 31-year-old remains a proven match-winner in T20Is. He has played 33 matches, scoring 448 runs at a strike rate of nearly 135, and has also picked up 11 wickets with his medium pace.
India secured a dominant seven-wicket victory in the series opener in Kolkata, with Nitish Reddy contributing on the field with two catches but not being required to bat or bowl. The second T20I is set to take place in Chennai.
