Nitish Reddy, Naman Dhir Put Shivam Dube Under Pressure

Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir have added to the competition for places in India’s T20 side after their recent contributions against New Zealand, with former India player Subramaniam Badrinath saying Shivam Dube could find it difficult to return to the playing XI. Reddy made an unbeaten 26 from 13 balls at No. 8 and took a wicket in the third T20I, while Dhir has continued to make an impression in the middle order.

The discussion underlines the value India are placing on players who can contribute in more than one discipline. Dhir has scores of 31 and an unbeaten 42 in the last two T20Is mentioned in the report, while Reddy’s late-order runs and wicket added another positive for India. Tilak Varma was also identified as continuing to develop in a finishing role.

Reddy and Dhir strengthen their cases

Reddy’s unbeaten 26 off 13 balls came from No. 8, giving India a late contribution with the bat in addition to his wicket. The performance put the spotlight on his ability to influence a match in both innings, a quality Badrinath highlighted when assessing the balance of the side.

Dhir, meanwhile, has been praised for his middle-order potential and all-round capability. Badrinath pointed specifically to Dhir’s innings in the second T20I, describing it as an underrated knock that arrived in a difficult situation. The former India player also noted that Dhir can bowl off-spin, adding another option to his skill set.

“His knock was underrated in the second T20I. It came when the situation was tough. Even Tilak Varma acknowledged it after the game. And he bowls off-spin as well,” Badrinath said, as quoted in the report.

The latest performances have therefore created a direct selection conversation around versatility. Reddy and Dhir are being viewed not only through their batting returns but also through their bowling and fielding value. For India, that depth offers more choices across the XI as the team weighs its combinations during the New Zealand T20 series.

Badrinath’s assessment of Dube’s route back

Badrinath did not say Dube’s international prospects were over, pointing to the possibility that injuries to other players can alter the selection picture. However, he said the emergence of Reddy and Dhir makes Dube’s route back into the XI considerably tougher.

“I won’t say it’s the end of the road for him, considering the possibility of injuries to others. But it’ll be very difficult for him to break into the playing XI again,” Badrinath said. “Nitish Kumar Reddy and Naman Dhir fit into the same category very well. They bowl, bat, and are excellent fielders. These two are multidimensional, especially with their fielding.”

Badrinath contrasted that assessment with his view of Dube’s role. He said Dube can hit spin bowling and provide two overs, but added that fielding and fitness make the competition more challenging for him. “Meanwhile, Dube is somewhat one-dimensional,” he said. “He can smash spinners and give you two overs of bowling. And his fielding is poor. Fielding and fitness are areas where Dube takes a hit. So it’s going to be hard for him to return to the XI.”

India’s recent displays have supplied several positives, according to the report, from Dhir’s middle-order work to Varma’s finishing development and Reddy’s contribution at No. 8. With New Zealand trailing 2-0 in the series context provided, the attention will remain on how India use their growing range of all-round options.