Former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth has recently made a strong case for the inclusion of Kolkata Knight Riders’ batter Rinku Singh in India’s 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Srikkanth’s endorsement comes in light of Singh’s exceptional international track record, despite having limited opportunities.
Rinku Singh, a left-handed hard-hitting batter, has been a revelation in the cricketing world. He shot to the limelight with five sixes on the last five balls of the Kolkata Knight Riders innings against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023. This performance brought out his finishing skills, which he consistently displayed throughout the season.
Singh made his India T20I debut later in the year and amassed 356 runs in 15 games, staying not out in seven of them at a high strike rate of 176.23. His ability to score quickly and under pressure has made him a valuable asset to the team. Notably, he has scored two fifty-plus scores, showcasing his potential as a game-changing batsman.
Srikkanth has his say on Rinku Singh
Despite his impressive international track record, Singh hasn’t had many opportunities to bat in the IPL. However, Srikkanth believes that a player’s merit should be assessed based on their performance and fitness rather than their reputation alone. For Srikkanth, Singh’s track record speaks volumes, warranting his inclusion as a certainty in the squad of 15.
Srikkanth stated, “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.”
The former India opener further added, “End of the day you’ve to forget who the player is and look at what is his track record. Is he a great player, is a deadly player, is he fit? So Rinku Singh has to be a certainty, he has to get the Visa and he will fasten his seat belt to take the flight to the United States to play the game as one of the 15 members in the side.”
Rinku Singh continues to be an essential asset for the KKR squad, scoring 112 runs in eight innings. KKR fans are hoping Singh will bring his best game on the pitch in the future matches.
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