In a disappointing development for Team India, all-rounder Shivam Dube has been ruled out of the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made this announcement just ahead of the opening match in Gwalior. According to the official statement from the BCCI, Dube’s absence is attributed to a recurring back injury that has flared up once again.

Shivam Dube’s injury woes

The talented Dube, who has represented India in 33 T20 internationals, where he accumulated 448 runs and claimed 11 wickets, will not participate in the series against Bangladesh due to a nagging back injury. Reports indicate that Dube experienced a resurgence of pain during a training session in Mumbai prior to the series.

Upon arriving in Gwalior, he found that the discomfort persisted, leading the medical team to decide that he would not be fit to compete. His absence poses a significant challenge for the Indian squad, as Dube has proven himself to be a valuable asset in the T20 format.

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Replacement announced for Dube

In light of Dube’s injury, the BCCI has announced that young batter Tilak Varma, who has been part of the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise, will step in as his replacement for the series. Varma is set to join the national team in Gwalior before the first T20I on Sunday.

The young star has gained experience in the T20 format, featuring in 16 matches for India, where he has scored 336 runs and taken two wickets with his part-time bowling. Although he was sidelined recently due to injury and missed out on selection for the T20I series against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Varma’s inclusion now offers a fresh opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage.

“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. Tilak will link up with the squad in Gwalior on Sunday morning,” the BCCI media release read.

India’s updated squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh

Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Varun Chakaravarthy, JItesh Sharma (wk), Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mayank Yadav, Tilak Varma

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