As India gears up for the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup on home soil, their focus remains unwavering on these imminent challenges. However, amidst these preparations, a glimpse into India’s T20 World Cup plans for the following year has been unveiled. Led by Hardik Pandya, India initiated their preparatory journey in the West Indies before moving on to Ireland, where rain played a spoiler to the much-anticipated opening match in Dublin.
Despite the weather disruptions, India secured a victory by a narrow two-run margin via the DLS method, with the spotlight firmly on Jasprit Bumrah and his spectacular return to action, earning him the Player of the Match award.
While the spotlight often falls on established stars, former India wicketkeeper-batter Kiran More expressed his enthusiasm for the debut of Rinku Singh, a promising talent who has been making waves.
After a stellar performance in the IPL 2023 for Kolkata Knight Riders, Rinku earned a spot in the Indian squad for the Ireland series. More’s anticipation to witness Rinku’s prowess was stopped by rain. Still, he remains hopeful that the upcoming T20Is in Ireland will provide Rinku with the platform to demonstrate his mettle internationally.
More’s excitement stems from Rinku’s potential as a finisher, a role pivotal to India’s T20 success with players like MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh in the past. More opined that Rinku, who has shone in domestic cricket and demonstrated his capabilities as a finisher in the IPL, could solve India’s search for a player in that role.
“I have been waiting for his opportunity in the Indian team. And that batting position, of No.5 and 6, he will perform well in that spot and can be a brilliant finisher. We all have seen MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh. After that, we haven’t got a player like them. We tried making such players, but it didn’t work so far. Tilak Varma is also there, and he, too, can perform that role. Rinku is also a brilliant fielder. And I have seen him in domestic cricket, and I feel he has improved greatly,” More remarked.
Rinku’s performance in IPL 2023 solidifies this potential. As the highest run-scorer at No.5 and 6 positions, his strike rate of 186.67 in the death overs stands out, and his ability to hit boundaries at will showcase his finishing prowess. Former India cricketer Abhishek Nayar echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that Rinku is tailor-made for the finisher role, considering Hardik Pandya’s transition to a higher batting position.
“One minor injury, you will play IPL but not for India”: Kapil Dev’s Scathing Attack At Indian Star Player
“With Hardik Pandya transforming into a role of a batter and playing higher up the order, you need someone down the order who can finish the job for you. Rinku is tailor-made. He has been a prolific run-getter across formats in domestic cricket. It is just about grooming him and constantly giving those opportunities. That is why the outlook towards Rinku should be the same as we are looking towards Tilak,” Nayar explained.
As India takes on Ireland in the next T20I match, the spotlight remains on Rinku Singh, the emerging finisher who could be pivotal in India’s T20 World Cup campaign next year. India will play the next T20I match against Ireland on Sunday, with the finale on Wednesday.
