T20 World Cup 2024: Rinku Singh tipped to replace MS Dhoni in team India by former Indian legend
Updated - 01 May 2024, 10:40 AM
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Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu expressed disappointment over the exclusion of Rinku Singh from India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA. Navjot Singh Sidhu stated that Rinku Singh could fill the void left by MS Dhoni as a finisher in the Indian team.
On Tuesday, April 30, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming ICC tournament. Rinku Singh, KL Rahul, and Shubman Gill were excluded from the squad. Rinku Singh failed to make it to the squad despite impressive performances in T20I matches.
The 26-year-old grabbed attention with his impressive performances in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL). The left-handed batter made his T20I debut for India in August 2023. Rinku has scored 365 runs in 15 matches at an impressive average of 89 and an outstanding strike rate of 176.2.
Rinku has had limited chances in the ongoing IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The young batter has scored 112 runs at an average of 22.40 and a strike rate of 157.75, with a best score of 26. The Uttar Pradesh batter's omission from the squad has disappointed fans and cricket experts.
Rinku Singh, The Only Finisher - Navjot Singh Sidhu
Navjot Singh Sidhu has voiced his support for Rinku Singh, stating that the young player has the potential to fill the void left by MS Dhoni in the national team.
"Rinku Singh , the only finisher in Indian cricket who can fill the void left by the great Dhoni!," wrote Sidhu on X formerly known as Twitter.
Rinku's omission is similar to Ambati Rayudu's exclusion before the 2019 ODI World Cup. However, Rinku has a chance to join the 15-man squad if any first-team members get injured, as he is part of the traveling reserves. The selectors have until May 23 to make changes to the squad if needed.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) all-rounder Shivam Dube was named in the squad ahead of Rinku Singh. Shivam Dube has delivered impressive performances in the ongoing IPL season. The middle-order batter has scored 350 runs in nine innings at an average of 58.33 and a strike rate of 172.41.
India's T20 World Cup Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Mohammed Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan.
Rinku Singh Can Take MS Dhoni's Place - Navjot Singh Sidhu
While speaking to Star Sports, Navjot Singh Sidhu stated that Rinku Singh could take MS Dhoni’s place as a finisher for Team India. Sidhu described Rinku as the future of Indian cricket, believing that he will serve as a finisher for a long time.
“Rinku Singh can take MS Dhoni’s place. He can finish games like the veteran player. Rinku is talented and can hit shots to all parts of the ground. Like Mahi, he is calm and relaxed and takes no pressure despite challenging situations. He is the future of the Indian cricket and he will play a role of a finisher for a long time," Sidhu said.
Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: "If you ignore Shivam Dube..." - Aakash Chopra warns Rohit Sharma, Ajit Agarkar
Tagged:
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 India National Cricket Team Rinku Singh Navjot Singh Sidhu IPL Kolkata Knight Riders
