Former India opener and chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth said that left-handed batsman Rinku Singh is certain to be in the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup. Rinku came into limelight with five sixes off the last five balls of Kolkata Knight Riders' innings against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023, a season where he consistently showcased his finishing skills. He made his T20I debut in India at the end of the year and scored 356 runs in 15 matches, remaining unbeaten in seven of them at a high strike rate of 176.23.
While KKR's top order has largely scored for the team so far in IPL 2024, Rinku hasn't got much time to bat, scoring 112 runs in eight matches at a strike-rate of 157.74. “An excellent example is Rinku Singh. Rinku Singh is one of my 15 players. He hasn't got many chances to bat in the IPL, but you look at his international track record, it's an amazing track record. Amazing track in South Africa There is a record.” And Rinku Singh has to be sure to be in the 15 with every opportunity he gets.”
“But if we go by recent form or opportunities, he has not got enough opportunities. At the end of the day you have to forget who the player is and look at what his track record is. Is he a great player, a The player is lethal, is he fit? So Rinku Singh will have to be sure, he will have to get the visa and fasten his seat belt to take the flight to the United States to play the game as one of the 15 members of the team. , Srikkanth, who was the chief selector of India's 2011 World Cup-winning teams, said in the 'Ticket to World Cup' episode of Star Sports Press Room show.
Former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden believes that the IPL has exposed many Indian talents who are now being discussed in the selection race for the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup. “I tell you it is a true credit to the IPL that it gets so much prominence in terms of selection for international cricket.
“It's testament to how great the competition is and it's also a credit to how the IPL has allowed its overseas players to play and strengthen in the tournament. I'm not sure that's the case in the whole of T20 cricket. There is someone else who is at par. It's so good, because we have got Jaiswal and he is one of the many people like Rinku who have been discovered by IPL cricket.”
India, winners of the 2007 edition, will begin their Men's T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5. They have been drawn in Group A along with Pakistan, Canada and tournament co-hosts the United States.
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