The Indian cricket team is currently in a phase of transition and experimentation as they gear up for the 2024 T20 Cricket World Cup. The recently selected T20I squad for the South Africa Tour reflects a willingness among BCCI selectors to provide opportunities to emerging talents, with players like Tilak Varma, Arshdeep Singh, and Ruturaj Gaikwad under close observation. The upcoming five T20Is and the subsequent IPL will play a pivotal role in shaping India’s final combination for the T20 World Cup.
In this mix of promising talents, Rinku Singh has emerged as a crucial player in India’s T20 plans. Sunil Gavaskar, former captain of the Indian cricket team, shared insights on Rinku Singh’s journey, praising his belief and performance over the last few years. Gavaskar expressed admiration for Rinku’s IPL exploits, highlighting how he seized the opportunity when it finally came his way.
“Talent – it’s not given to everybody. You can love the game. You can play all day, but sometimes you know you might not quite have the talent, but he has the belief that he could do it, and that’s what he’s done over the last 2-3 years,” Sunil Gavaskar commended Rinku Singh’s determination. He drew parallels between Rinku Singh and the legendary Yuvraj Singh, expressing hopes that Rinku could emulate even a fraction of Yuvraj’s impact on Indian cricket.
ALSO READ: Irfan Pathan: Rohit Sharma Needs To “Conquer South Africa”
Rinku Singh, after the first practice session in South Africa, shared his observations on the conditions. He noted the extra bounce and increased pace compared to Indian wickets, emphasizing the need to practice against pace bowling. Rinku, expected to play a vital role at No. 5 or No. 6 in the upcoming T20Is against South Africa, expressed his enjoyment during the first practice session and highlighted the positive experience of working with head coach Rahul Dravid.
“Getting the opportunity to work with Rahul Dravid sir, so that was a good feeling. He told me to continue playing the way I do and continue believing in myself,” Rinku Singh shared his interaction with Rahul Dravid. The coach encouraged Rinku to stick to his natural game and continue batting in the challenging middle-order positions.
Speaking about his role at No. 5 or 6, Rinku Singh emphasized that he has been accustomed to these positions since 2013 while playing for Uttar Pradesh. He expressed confidence in his ability to handle these crucial positions, especially when the team faces challenging situations with 4-5 wickets down.
ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Eyes Redemption In South Africa Test Series, Says Sunil Gavaskar
As Rinku Singh prepares to showcase his skills in the upcoming T20Is, his journey and the expectations placed on him reflect the evolving dynamics of Indian cricket, with a focus on nurturing young talents for future success.
