Fleming lavishes praise on Dube, weighs in on Gaikwad's absence from WC squad

Shivam Dubes enhanced game understanding and completeness have impressed Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming who is confident in the lefthanded allrounders ability to make an impact in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024The 30yearold who is the second leading runscorer for the defending champions in the ongoing IPL made the cut to the 15member Indian squad for the T20 global showpiece in the USA and West Indies beginning on June 1He is a lot more complete in terms of what he is trying to do understanding his game and that comes from experience Fleming said ahead of their match against Punjab KingsWe have worked hard on areas he wasnt so strong but also continuing to develop his strength So if that form continues he is going to be an impactful player for India at the World Cup Dube has 350 runs in nine outings at a strike rate of 17241 including three halfcenturies He has been fantastic He has proven this year that there is a lot more to him than just playing spin better said the former Kiwi skipperCSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad who is their leading scorer with 447 runs including one century and three fifties missed out in the squad Asked if it was harsh to Gaikwad Fleming said No I understand the quality of players India have to try and select it is very difficult Ruturaj has done what he can and he must be close he saidAlso ReadThe sting of exclusionWe hold him in the highest regard I love the craft that he shows and his last two performances have been quite majestic Its not just whambham but he has displayed the mastery of batting And the form that he is right now and the control that he has its quite outstanding Its not now but there will be another change for him If he continues his form and keeps playing well throughout the year I will be very surprised if he is not called inCommenting further on his batting and leadership Fleming said His batting has continued from what it was He has been spectacular the last few years As for captaincy he has taken it up in his stride as he has also led his domestic teamHe is very much in the mould of CSK Very understated lowkey and incredibly calmThe Impact Player rule continues to be a topic of debate in this IPL with some experts expressing their apprehensions about it remarking that it could affect team selections Asked if the overseas T20 league also should embrace it he said No I wouldnt take it overseasI like the challenge of picking allrounders to get a bit more balance in your team across departments The way I see it now you could hardly bowl a team out as the batters just keep coming The challenge here is entertainment If you want fours and sixes its Impact Player rule a tick But from the purest cricketing point of view its shifted the balance too far in favour of batting It also hides selection issues rather than having the subtle challenge of getting your selections right and nurturing allrounders who are an important part of the game he concludedWith agency inputs