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Will Rinku Singh See The Light In Asia Cup Or Bear The Burden Of His 'Inability'?

Soumyajit Dutta

Rinku Singh [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Rinku Singh [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

In the fickle world of cricket, form is a temporary guest, but class is a permanent resident. For Rinku Singh, the past few months have been a testament to this very statement. The man who became synonymous with ice-cool finishes for KKR and India found himself navigating a rare, quiet patch, not because of his bat not talking, but mainly because of India's think tank.

After his famous match-winning five consecutive sixes against GT in IPL 2023, Rinku's name as a finisher shone in the sky like a bright diamond, but it faded away slowly over the years.

Rinku's T20I Career Is Not Something To Be Overlooked

Rinku donned the national jersey for the first time in 2023. Only after his IPL heroics did the selectors think of him as a fine option to add to the roster for the Ireland Tour. Rinku came in and had a decent debut with 38 off his bat from 21 balls.

It was impressive for sure, but how much? His T20I career span answers this question. Rinku has played 33 T20Is to date and scored 546 runs at an average of 42.00. Interestingly, he also boasts a good strike rate of 161.06. 

These are good numbers, but are they enough for global tournaments? The reality answers the hanging question mark as Rinku is finding it tough to get a spot in the Playing XI of the Asia Cup, where he was benched for the first two matches.

Why Is India Benching Rinku?

In modern cricket's demanding landscape, pure batters often face an uphill battle for a permanent slot, especially if they are not suited for the top order. For a talent like Rinku Singh, the competition is no longer just about power-hitting prowess. The current strategic blueprint for Team India prioritises multi-dimensional players, all-rounders who offer a dual threat with both bat and ball.

This shift towards valuing balance has seen impactful players like Shivam Dube and emerging talents like Nitish Reddy, who provide a tactical advantage, currently viewed as more valuable assets. Consequently, Rinku finds himself awaiting his turn, a specialist in an era craving versatility.

Rinku's Recent Heroics Was The Reason Behind The Asia Cup Spot

Nevertheless, good news for Rinku Singh is that he has found a place in India's squad, and that was probably because of the recently concluded UP T20 2025. The league was a renaissance for Rinku. 

Donning the captain's armband, he dominated the stat table with 372 runs and 2 wickets from his 9 matches. His surprising take to bowl was probably an audition for the all-rounder role that India is seeking, yet his call has not been answered yet.

Can Rinku Singh Make It To India's Playing XI?

As the Indian team gears up for its final group game against Oman on September 19th, a strategic opportunity emerges. With key players like Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma likely to be rested ahead of the Super Four stage, a spot in the middle order is poised to open up.

That might be Rinku’s light. That should be his moment to walk out from the shadows of the sidelines and back into the luminescence of the international arena. For a team that cherishes a flexible, fearless finisher, a resurgent Rinku Singh might just be the perfect diamond on the crown of India.