Arun backs Deepak, Dube to come good at big stage

The 27-year-old Deepak, known for his miserly spells with the new ball, and the relatively younger Dube (26), who can use the big blade at the death, combined have only 17 appearances between them in national colours. Almost all of them (16) have come in the shortest format of the game – T20s.

Approaching the One-Day International series against the West Indies, India bowling coach Bharat Arun backed the pair to come good at the highest level. “Dube is an exciting talent for us. He is gaining more confidence with every passing game. Once he gets more exposure, he will shape into a good all-rounder,” said Arun on Friday.

“Deepak has been exceptional in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is someone who can move the ball both ways. He can also come up with slow bouncers and yorkers. With so much skill on hand, he has got everything in him to make it big at this stage,” added Arun, who has turned the Indian bowling attack into a potent one.

Prior to the 2019 Cricket World Cup, India skipper Virat Kohli attacking opposition batters with wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav was a common feature in white ball cricket. In calamitous circumstances, the captain used to throw the ball to the leggies and would more often than not reap huge benefits. But Kohli is now finding it difficult to make space for both of them in the playing eleven. Arun asserted changes had been made keeping in mind the overall shape of the team.

“We are looking at the ideal combination which lends absolute balance. Ravindra Jadeja has also been an option and that has really helped us. If the conditions are conducive to spin bowling, both can be used together.”

Tamil Nadu’s Washington Sundar has been a regular of late in the T20 set up but has been overlooked in the 50-over format.

The off-spinning all-rounder has turned out only once for India in limited overs cricket (in 2017), scalping a solitary wicket against Sri Lanka in Mohali. But, Arun commented Sundar will stake his claim in the ODI team in due course.

“Every time he has been given an opportunity with the ball, he has done well. I can tell you he is more than a capable bat. In each chance he has got, he has played a cameo. In the future, I am sure Sundar would be considered for the One-Dayers as well.”