The announcement of India’s T20 World Cup squad sparked discussion, with the exclusion of Rinku Singh being a major talking point. During the recent T20 World Cup squad press conference, India chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that dropping Rinku was the ‘toughest’ decision ever.
Agarkar explained that the team composition envisioned by captain Rohit Sharma didn’t leave room for Rinku Singh. India opted for a strategy with four specialist spin bowlers alongside the all-round medium-pace bowling option of Shivam Dube.
‘Nothing to do with Rinku,’ Agarkar
Ajit Agarkar on Rinku Singh’s exclusion: “The decision was the toughest. It’s got nothing to do with Rinku Singh. It is just the combination. We felt Rohit can have an extra spin option with two wrist spinners.”
However, Agarkar emphasized Singh’s proximity to the final squad, highlighting his inclusion among the reserves. “He was very close to making the cut, and his presence in the reserves signifies that,” Agarkar concluded.
India Squad for Zimbabwe
Shubman Gill (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar, Tushar Deshpande, Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Harshit Rana