Blow for India as Shivam Dube gets ruled out of T20I series; Tilak Varma roped in as replacement

India suffered a blow on the eve of the T20I series against Bangladesh as Shivam Dube was ruled out owing to a back injury on Saturday (Oct 5). Dube, who was in the team, will now be replaced by Tilak Varma who featured in the Irani Cup match in Lucknow on Saturday. He will travel a short distance to Gwalior from Lucknow overnight and will be available for the opening T20I on Sunday against Bangladesh as Suryakumar Yadav’s men look to make a winning start.

Dube Out, Varma In

A BCCI statement read: “All-rounder Shivam Dube is ruled out of the three-match T20I series owing to a back injury. The Senior Selection Committee has named Tilak Varma as Shivam’s replacement.”

According to the statement from the management, Dube won’t be in the squad for the T20I series having failed a fitness test. He was a vital member of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) squad during the Indian Premier League (IPL) which saw him get into the Indian team. Under coach Gautam Gambhir he has been an important part of the white-ball set-up and was called up to both T20I and ODI squad during the Sri Lanka series.

After Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s retirement from the T20I format Dube has been an automatic choice into the squad.

Varma on the other hand will be back in the Indian team for the first time since January when he featured in the Afghanistan series. He has been down the pecking order ever since Gambhir became the coach but is still considered a bright and raw talent in the Indian side.

India look to start on a winning note

Having pocketed the Test series 2-0 under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, the focus is now on the T20I series as the Men in Blue will be led by Suryakumar Yadav. Considering India will be away to South Africa next month players will look to make a mark to the selectors. The first T20I against Bangladesh will be played at the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior with action starting at 7:00 pm IST.

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