The selection of the Indian T20 World Cup squad was met with a wave of disappointment from fans. The biggest snub? Rinku Singh. Boasting an exceptional average of 89 and a staggering strike rate of 143 in just 11 international innings, Rinku seemed the perfect fit for India’s aggressive batting approach.
Instead, the selectors opted for Shivam Dube. At that time, the decision seemed justified. Dube was in the form of his life, single-handedly winning matches for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2024 with over 350 runs at a strike rate exceeding 170. Rinku, watching from the sidelines, must have found it hard to accept, but Dube’s red-hot form silenced most critics.
A listless Shivam Dube
However, the fairytale didn’t last. In the very next month, Dube’s batting went into a tailspin. Runs dried up, his strike rate plummeted, and his confidence seemed to evaporate. This slump continued into crucial matches for India, including the warm-up against Bangladesh, the clash against Ireland, and most importantly, the high-pressure encounter with Pakistan.
In the Pakistan match, Dube’s struggles were on full display. He lasted a mere 9 balls, looking uncomfortable at the crease before gifting his wicket to Naseem Shah with a simple caught-and-bowled dismissal. All this while, Rinku Singh was a part of the Indian dugout, a reserve player alongside the likes of Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan and Shubman Gill.
One can only imagine the emotions swirling within Rinku Singh. Disappointment at being overlooked must be laced with a touch of vindication as he witnesses Shivam Dube’s struggles. The question on everyone’s mind is: what must be Rinku feeling!
