T20 World Cup 2024: Rinku Singh gets the stamp of approval for his Visa to USA and West Indies by..

Kolkata Knight Riders middle-order batsman Rinku Singh's visa has been approved by former India chief selector Kris Srikkanth for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. 

Srikkanth, who was responsible for selecting the Indian squad that went on to win the ICC 50-Over World Cup in 2011, feels that Rinku Singh has to get the Visa. The former Indian cricketer demanded the same from the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee not based on his form in IPL 2024 but because of his track record in the recent past.

Kris Srikkanth highlights Rinku Singh's recent record 

The 15-man squad composition of the Indian team for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 is at the forefront of discussion at the moment. Every cricketing expert and pundit is contemplating about the Indian squad with many pundits also putting out their predicted squad as well. In most of the predicted squads, Rinku Singh has been made a part of the team. 

And it wasn't any different for Krishnamachari Srikkanth, who chose Rinku Singh as an automatic choice. Srikkanth highlighted the way Rinku has already proved himself for the Indian National team from the opportunities that he has received. 

From his 15 T20Is for India against Ireland, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Australia, Nepal, and South Africa, Rinku Singh has already scored 356 runs from the middle-order. He is currently averaging 89 and has been smashing the ball at a strike rate of 176.23. 

The left-hand batter has guided the Indian team to several victories as well in his short time with the team. One of his most notable knocks came in South Africa when he scored 68* off just 39 deliveries in the 2nd of a 3-match T20I series at Gqeberha. 

Then during a 3-match T20I series against Afghanistan, Rinku Singh had smacked 69* off 39 and also helped India win that game on Super Over. So he is more than capable of scoring 60-70 runs off 30-40 balls and that's why Srikkanth wants to see him being included in the team.  

"A classic example is Rinku Singh. Rinku Singh is a certainty in my 15. He hasn't got that many opportunities to bat in the IPL but you see his international track record, it's an amazing track record."

"Amazing track record in South Africa and with every opportunity he has got. So Rinku Singh has to be a certainty in the 15. But if we go by recent form or opportunities, he hasn't got enough opportunities." - Krishnamachari Srikkanth said via Star Sports. 

Rinku's IPL season so far 

Rinku Singh hasn't had many opportunities to make an impact with his batting by the Kolkata Knight Riders management. That is among the key reasons why certain expert pundits have been reluctant to include him in the 15-man squad.

From 9 matches, Rinku has scored just 123 runs with a best of 26 at a 150 strike rate. Last night during KKR's 7-wicket win over Delhi Capitals, Rinku was promoted to number 3 but he left the crease eventually after scoring 11 off 11. With less than 2 days remaining before ICC's deadline for the T20 WC, it will be interesting to see if Rinku makes the cut or not.