The BCCI Selection Committee announced India’s T20 World Cup squad without any major surprises. But there is an outrage over Rinku Singh. India’s designated finisher until the last T20I series misses out on T20 WC. He has only found a place in the travelling reserves with no certainty that he could make it to the 15-member squad. But is that really a surprise? InsideSport predicted 4 months ago that the return of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in T20Is could spell doom for Rinku Singh. Told you so.
Why Rinku Singh missed out?
With Dinesh Karthik failing in 2022 World Cup after an excellent IPL, India started looking for different options. And there, Rinku Singh emerged as the solid contender. In the limited matches, Rinku smashed 356 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 176.23. In his last outing, against Afghanistan, Rinku played a blazing knock of 39-ball 69. But then IPL happened and he missed out as Ambati Rayudu did in 2019 ODI WC.
With Kolkata Knight Riders’s top-order firing from all cylinders, Rinku Singh has only got 82 deliveries to face. In those, he has only faced a maximum of 16 deliveries in an innings, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. It wasn’t a bad knock by any means as he scored 24 runs at a 150 strike rate. But with KKR restricting him as an Impact Player, he becomes the first victim of BCCI’s own rule.
All-rounders have last say
But with Hardik Pandya misfiring in IPL 2024, Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has preferred all-rounders over specialists.
India had to accommodate a high-flying Shivam Dube, who capitalised on a higher-batting position at Chennai Super Kings. Even though Dube does not bowl in IPL, he is still an option to bowl at least two overs if Hardik fails.
Add his superb batting against spin in the IPL 2024 and Rinku was forced to the travelling reserves in T20 World Cup squad.
Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma factor
However, Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh’s lack of game-time was not the only reason. The selectors had to accommodate the two superstars in the squad. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma occupying two spots in the Top 3 means, India Cricket Team will need to rely on power-hitters.
If Yashasvi Jaiswal does open with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav will take No 3 & No 4 spots. Rishabh Pant is at No 5 and then it leaves an option for Shivam Dube at No 6 with Hardik Pandya at No 7. Even Ravindra Jadeja will come in at No 8.
Had Rohit-Kohli not been there, India would have a spot left in the middle-order. However, that’s not the case anymore. India need the cover for the third seamer in Hardik Pandya. If he fails, Dube could be a part-time seamer. But even Dube’s place is not guaranteed in the XI. It could very well be a toss-up between Ravindra Jadeja and Dube based on pitch and conditions.
Predicted India Playing XI
1. Rohit Sharma
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Virat Kohli
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Rishabh Pant (WK)
6. Shivam Dube
7. Hardik Pandya
8. Ravindra Jadeja
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Jasprit Bumrah
