Ex-opener shockingly accuses Indian team management of bias against Rinku Singh

Former cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned Team India's decision to place Rinku Singh in the No. 6 position during the first T20I match against South Africa. Aakash Chopra expressed concerns about whether batting lower down the order is fair to Rinku Singh in the shorter international format.

Team India lost the wicket of Abhishek Sharma (7) early in the third over in Durban on Friday, November 8. Sanju Samson and Suryakumar Yadav helped the team reach 90 runs in 9 overs. Tilak Varma came to bat at No. 4 and scored a quickfire 33 runs off 18 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

Rinku Singh scored just 11 runs off 10 deliveries, including two boundaries, while batting at No. 6. The Men in Blue were in a dominant position at 162-2 in 14 overs during the first innings. However, they managed to score just 40 runs in the last six overs. India posted a good total of 202-8 in 20 overs.

Rinku Singh Has Scored Runs Every Time - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Rinku Singh has consistently performed well when given opportunities higher up in the order. Chopra added that Rinku's position at No. 6 might limit his impact on the game.

"Are we being fair to Rinku? It's a very important question. Why am I asking this question? You kept him in the team first, he is your original choice player. He was in your team against Bangladesh and before that as well. Whenever you have sent him up the order or he has got to bat in the powerplay, he has scored runs every time," Chopra said.

He Has Emerged As A Crisis Man - Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra said that Rinku Singh can score more runs when given more time at the crease. Chopra questioned why Rinku wasn’t promoted to No. 4 in the order during the series opener in South Africa.

"He has scored a half-century every time. He has emerged as a crisis man. He scored those half-centuries at very good strike rates. So this was that opportunity. Why don't you send him at No. 4? What is the reason that you only send Rinku down the order, always at No. 6?" Chopra added.

Rinku Is Not Just A Finisher - Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator said that Rinku Singh can finish games with big-hitting abilities. Chopra said that Rinku can pace his innings well, adding that he is not like Andre Russell or Hardik Pandya.

"I am asking this question only because Rinku can finish but he is not just a finisher. This is my understanding. I feel he knows how to drive the game. He is hitting sixes but he is not someone who muscles the ball. He is not Andre Russell and he is not Hardik Pandya as well," Chopra said in the same video.

Rinku Singh has scored 490 runs in 20 T20I innings, with an impressive strike rate of 173.14. However, he has only batted at No. 4 twice, and played eight innings each at No. 5 and No. 6. He will be next seen in action during the second T20I match, set to be played in Gqeberha on Sunday, November 10.

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