Star finisher Rinku Singh has been named as a reserve player in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad. The 19-member squad, including five reserves, has been announced on Tuesday ahead of the May 1 deadline. Rinku, who was expected to occupy the spot of a finisher, has been named among the reserves instead.
No Rinku Singh in T20 World Cup squad
It is safe to say that the selection has the squad has largely been dependent on the form of the players in the ongoing IPL. In nine matches, Rinku Singh has managed to score just 123 runs while other players competing for the spot have fared way better.
A stellar run in 2023 seems to be overshadowed by either Rinku getting lesser chances to bat in IPL 2024 or having thrown away opportunities. Rinku Singh’s case reminds one of something similar that happened with Ambati Rayudu during the 2019 World Cup.
Rayudu was in stellar form – both in international and IPL – ahead of the World Cup, and had proved his worth in the middle-order. Despite such performances, Vijay Shankar was chosen over Rayudu in the side. Something similar has happened with Rinku as well. Despite been given opportunities to finish for India over the past year, he has been ignored at one of the most crucial junctures for India.