In getting ready for the 2024 T20 World Cup, one standout player for India is Rinku Singh. In the past nine games since November 2023, including matches against Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan, Rinku has become a key player for India in T20 cricket.
He’s proven himself as a reliable finisher. Even though India’s captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid haven’t confirmed the T20 World Cup squad, veteran cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin supports Rinku, comparing him to the legendary MS Dhoni.
What makes Rinku’s selection almost certain is not just his ability to score quickly at the end of an innings, as he did in IPL 2023 for Kolkata Knight Riders.
In three of those nine innings, Rinku also showed he can steady the ship when the top order struggles early and then accelerate towards the end. This was evident in his innings of 46 against Australia, an unbeaten 68 against South Africa, and a record 190-run partnership with Rohit against Afghanistan. On his YouTube channel, Ashwin called Rinku a “left-handed Dhoni.” He clarified that he isn’t comparing him directly to Dhoni, who is a cricket icon, but highlighted Rinku’s similar composure.
Ashwin mentioned Rinku’s consistency in scoring runs for Uttar Pradesh and his dedication during his time with Kolkata Knight Riders. According to Ashwin, Rinku’s calmness remains unchanged whether the team is batting first or chasing, making him a valuable asset in the later stages of an innings.
Although Rinku has performed well in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, he still needs to replicate his 2023 performance for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 to secure his spot in the ICC event.
