T20 World Cup 2024: Ajit Agarkar torn apart as Danish Kaneria criticizes Hardik Pandya's selection over Rinku Singh

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria expressed his views on Rinku Singh's exclusion from India's preliminary 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is set to be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies from June 1.

Kaneria highlighted India's track record of producing talented cricketers, citing examples like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Kaneria also talked about the emergence of Mayank Yadav and Abhishek Sharma in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Well, speaking about Rinku's omission from India’s 15-member squad for the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, Kaneria believes that the young hard-hitting batter deserved a spot in the squad, especially considering his performances for India and in the IPL for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Hardik Pandya should have dropped for Rinku Singh: Danish Kaneria

The former Pakistani spinner further highlighted Hardik Pandya's inconsistency, due to which the Indian all-rounder should not have been picked in the T20 World Cup 2024 squad. He also mentioned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Shivam Dube's strong performances in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Kaneria claimed that Dube and Rinku could have formed a formidable combination for Team India in the lower order at the 2024 T20 World Cup. He mentioned that India has picked a strong squad, but the inclusion of Rinku could have added more depth and power to India's batting lineup.

Danish Kaneria was quoted as saying by Times Now, “India has a reputation of producing quality cricketers. In recent times Yashasvi Jaiswal and Angkrish Raghuvanshi are the prime examples of it. Mayank Yadav too has surprised everyone with his raw pace and so has Abhishek Sharma with his power hitting capabilities."

"Dube and Rinku would've been a powerful combination"

He added, "As far as Rinku's case is concerned, I also feel that he should've been a part of India's T20 WC squad. If I take the ongoing IPL's performances in consideration then Hardik Pandya should've been the one to miss out. He hasn't shown consistency at all. You already have Shivam Dube who has been doing well for CSK. Overall, the squad looks good, but Dube and Rinku would've been a powerful combination for India down the order.”

Notably, Hardik Pandya is currently captaining the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing IPL 2024, where he has been struggling both as captain and all-rounder, despite this, he earned a place in India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. On the other hand, Rinku is showing great form for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring 123 runs.

Pandya has so far scored 197 runs at an average of 21.89 and strike rate of 150.38 for Mumbai Indians (MI) in 10 matches so far in the tournament, where the five-time IPL champions are currently sitting at the 9^th spot with 6 points at the moment.

He will be seen in action on Friday, May 3, when the Mumbai Indians (MI) will take on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Match No.51 of the ongoing IPL 2024 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.