"It's not a great sign for any batter" - Indian legend's huge claim on Shivam Dube's demotion in the batting order after AUS vs IND 2025 3rd T20I

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan believes the warning signs are out on Shivam Dube after he was demoted outside the top seven of the batting order for a second consecutive outing in the third T20I against Australia in Hobart. With India losing five wickets early, Dube was pushed down to No. 8 with Harshit Rana coming ahead of him at No. 7 in the second T20I.

Dube lasted only two deliveries and fell for four as India suffered a crushing four-wicket defeat. Come the third T20I, the 32-year-old once again did not come out to bat in the top seven with India chasing 187 for victory.

The move did not backfire on this occasion as the Men in Blue completed a convincing five-wicket win to level the series at 1-1.

Talking about Dube's position in the T20I side after the third ODI, Zaheer said on Cricbuzz (6:44):

"In this whole process, one wonders where Shivam Dube is going to sit. He is someone who has been consistently performing and now suddenly is batting at No. 8. It means that there are many less opportunities and he will definitely be feeling the pressure. It's not a great sign for any batter if you're just being pushed down the order, be it taking responsibility or finishing the job."

He continued:

"You've seen that someone else has already finished (Sundar and Jitesh). And in the last innings, he got the opportunity and got out. Out is out and that's just going to build pressure. So he will have to have a conversation with Washington Sundar on how to manage the in-out situation. But in the next innings, when he bats in a normal position, he'll certainly feel the pressure."

Dube was instrumental with the bat in India's recent Asia Cup triumph, scoring a 22-ball 33 under pressure in the final against Pakistan. The veteran bowled three expensive overs with the ball in the third T20I, conceding 43 runs with one wicket.

"Sanju Samson has been batting out of position and finding it challenging" - Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan backed the decision to replace Sanju Samson with Jitesh Sharma in the third Australian T20I in Hobart. With Shubman Gill's return to the T20I side since the Asia Cup, Samson has often batted out of position at No. 5 or below.

Meanwhile, Jitesh took his opportunity with both hands, scoring a 13-ball 22* at No. 7 to help India cross the finishing line.

"It's the template and role designation that you are looking at. Sanju Samson has been batting out of position and finding it challenging. So something along those lines were definitely discussed and Jitesh made use of his opportunity," said Zaheer (via the aforementioned source).

He concluded:

"Going forward also, you'll see this kind of an approach, which just simplifies things for the guy also playing that particular role. Doing it regularly also makes it easier to adapt. So Jitesh also will be very happy as it's his comeback of sorts."

It was Jitesh's first game for India since January 2024, when he scored a two-ball duck against Afghanistan in Indore.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran