T20 World Cup 2024: Former New Zealand great lauds this Indian player to be next Kapil Dev

Former New Zealand great and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has heaped massive praise on emerging all-rounder  Shivam Dube.

Dube has earned a spot in India’s T20 World Cup squad on the basis of his brilliant batting performances in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He could also contribute with the ball if required.

"If Dube bowls the way he talks, he could be the next Kapil Dev. He has been training diligently and put in a lot of hard work during the IPL. While the team had several versatile all-rounders, the new impact player rule unfortunately diminishes the value of such well-rounded cricketers, which is rather disappointing," said Fleming.

"He has been bowling effectively, maintaining a strong pace and delivery. In the right conditions, which tend to be a bit slower, his ability to vary his pace and use cutters can make him a tricky opponent. Despite this, he has worked hard to develop his skills and can play an important role for the team," the former Kiwi captain added.

Notably, during the warm-up match against Bangladesh, Dube bowled three overs. As per many experts, his bowling style could prove effective on the low, slow pitches expected in the Caribbean.