Shivam Dube can still give couple of overs to India: Bowling coach Morne Morkel

T20 World Cup: India bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed Shivam Dube despite his expensive spells in the T20 World Cup. Morkel said the all-rounder still has the ability to provide India with a couple of useful overs.

India bowling coach Morne Morkel has backed all-rounder Shivam Dube despite his expensive spells in the ongoing T20 World Cup Morkel insisted the left-hander can still offer a couple of useful overs for the side when needed.

Speaking during India’s pre-match press conference in Mumbai on March 4 ahead of their T20 World Cup semi-final against England, Morkel said Dube’s struggles with the ball were more about execution than form.

“I don’t think it’s a loss of bowling form. Shivam knows the game pretty well. At times our execution wasn’t great and maybe the thinking behind some deliveries could have been better, but in terms of form he is a guy who can still give us a couple of overs," Morkel said.

“For him it’s about making smarter decisions with the ball. That’s an area we want to improve because, let’s be honest, teams are going to go after him and try to put him under pressure. If we can improve his execution and thinking with the ball, that will help us a lot," he added.

Dube has been used sparingly with the ball during the tournament, but India’s team management still views him as a valuable part-time option capable of filling in during crucial phases of the innings.

Dube’s bowling returns in the T20 World Cup have been far from convincing. Across seven matches, he has bowled just 9.2 overs, conceding 124 runs while picking up five wickets at an economy rate of 13.28.