Rinku Singh ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026? Sitanshu Kotak delivers official update

Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has opened up about Rinku Singh flying back home ahead of the match against Zimbabwe during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Sitanshu confirmed that Rinku travelled back after his father fell unwell, but is expected to rejoin the Indian cricket team before the next match.

Rinku Singh has flown back home ahead of India’s crucial Super Eight match because of a family medical emergency. The match is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 26, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Suryakumar Yadav’s side must win their next two matches to stay alive.

Rinku Singh Is Coming Back Today Evening - Sitanshu Kotak

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that Rinku Singh is set to return to the squad on Wednesday. He stated that Rinku’s father fell unwell, but the middle-order batter is expected to rejoin the team.

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"Rinku Singh is coming back today evening. His father was not well. He went back. Hopefully he will join us today," Sitanshu Kotak said.

Rinku Singh Struggles for Form in T20 World Cup 2026

Rinku Singh has struggled to make an impact in the T20 World Cup 2026 so far. The 28-year-old has scored only 24 runs in five matches at an average of 8.00 and a strike rate of 82.75, with his best score being an unbeaten 11 off four balls against Pakistan in Colombo.

Rinku was added to the World Cup squad at the last moment. The left-handed batter was also dismissed for a duck against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

However, Rinku’s overall T20I record remains impressive. He has scored 665 runs in 45 T20Is at an average of 39.11 and a strike rate of 155.73, including three half-centuries.

If Rinku is unavailable for the match against Zimbabwe, India could bring Axar Patel into the playing XI. This move would add depth to the batting and also give captain Suryakumar Yadav an extra bowling option.

T20 World Cup 2026 Semi-Final Qualification Scenarios for India

India suffered a heavy 76-run loss to South Africa in their opening Super Eight match, which was their biggest defeat in World Cup history. They are third in Group 1, behind the West Indies and South Africa, with a net run rate of -3.800.

India must beat Zimbabwe and the West Indies. To avoid net run rate deciding their fate, they also need South Africa to win their remaining Super Eight matches. In that scenario, South Africa would finish on six points and India on four.

If net run rate comes into play, India will need to win both remaining matches by big margins. There is also a slim mathematical chance for India with just two points, but it depends on multiple results going their way and a significant improvement in net run rate.

Also read: Gautam Gambhir’s obsession with Washington Sundar mocked as ‘All-In-One Solution’ amid T20 WC 2026