Rinku Singh's Test debut on cards? Vikram Rathour backs India youngster to shine in longest format

Vikram Rathour, now the former batting coach of the Indian team, in a recent interview spoke about Indian cricket and the transition phase that the team will dive into soon. Gautam Gambhir will take over as the head coach starting with the series against Zimbabwe. He is keen on forming his own support staff during his tenure.

Vikram's tenure came to an end after the T20 World Cup 2024 which was won by India. He was the batting coach of the side throughout Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach and hence has seen the highs and lows of the team from close quarters.

He has also seen several talented batters emerge in the last two to three years. Plenty of them have made a case for themselves to be playing for India for the next decade. After the T20I retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Rathour has prepared several batters to take the onus of run-scoring in the format.

One of them is Rinku Singh who is the designated finisher of this young Indian side. He scored 60 runs in the series against Zimbabwe batting at number five or six and striking at over 176. In the meantime, he hit six sixes proving his six-hitting prowess with the bat.

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Rathour in his interview with PTI spoke about Rinku Singh's good domestic career and hence his future in Test cricket. In first-class cricket, he averages 54.70 and in List A cricket, he averages 48.69. In T20Is, in his first 20 matches, he has maintained an average of 83.20 and a strike rate touching 180. Rathour backed the youngster to play Test cricket for India in the future.

Can't See Why Rinku Singh Cannot Be A Successful Test Batter: Vikram Rathour

"When I see him (Rinku) bat in nets, I can't find any technical reasons why Rinku cannot be a successful Test batter. I understand he has made his name as a terrific finisher in T20 cricket but if you look at his first-class record, he is averaging in high 50s" said Vikram Rathour.

He further said that Rinku Singh has a very calm temperament which is required to play Test cricket.

"He (Rinku) is also blessed with a very calm temperament. So all these factors indicate that if given an opportunity, he can develop into a Test cricketer," Rathour added on Rinku.

The youngster has already cemented his place in the T20I side. He has already hit 26 sixes and 33 fours in his short T20I career. He is also a big plus on the field. He has athletic attributes on the field. He took six catches in the series against Zimbabwe taking his tally to 13 catches in T20I format already.

Rinku was awarded the best fielder of the series award against Zimbabwe. He survived an injury scare in the final T20I but was quick to get back onto the field again.

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