The announcement of India’s T20 World Cup squad has stirred controversy, with fans and experts questioning the omission of Rinku Singh. Rinku, who impressed as India’s designated finisher in T20Is leading into the IPL 2024, has been relegated to the reserves. Adding fuel to the fire, Ambati Rayudu, who himself faced a similar snub before the 2019 ODI World Cup, took to Twitter to express his disapproval.
Rayudu’s criticism targeted the team’s apparent preference for statistics over cricketing ability. “Rinku Singh’s omission clearly indicates stats rule over cricketing sense,” he wrote. He pointed out the lack of a proven finisher in the squad besides Ravindra Jadeja. This highlighted Rinku’s ability to bat fluently and win matches in the crucial late overs. Rayudu emphasized that quality and cricketing talent should be prioritised over mere statistics or social media popularity.
How Rayudu and Rinku Singh’s case are quiet similar
Rayudu’s criticism carries significant weight due to his own experience with World Cup selection woes. In 2019, he was surprisingly dropped from India’s ODI World Cup squad despite strong performances. The decision sparked outrage, with many criticizing the selectors for overlooking an in-form player. Rayudu’s tweet seems to suggest that history is repeating itself, with another talented player potentially missing out on a major tournament.
