The exclusion of Rinku Singh from the Indian T20I team facing South Africa seems like the latest example of the kind of puzzling selections that seem to be typical of this current Indian national side. A player who averages 89 in T20I cricket, having played internationally for less than a year, has a T20I batting strike rate of over 204 in death overs, and still does not appear to be seen as a necessity in terms of a specific role, but instead a luxury item. Not only was Rinku Singh left out of the T20I squad, but he also scored back-to-back centuries for India in the Ranji Trophy and saved the match for the Delhi Capitals in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy when he made 65 runs.
With just five T20Is left after this series before the World Cup lands on India’s doorstep, this was the window to refine roles, not eliminate specialists. Instead, the selectors have doubled down on an all-rounder-heavy blueprint that values bowling insurance above finishing firepower. And somewhere in that pursuit of mathematical balance, India has sidelined a player tailor-made for the overs that decide T20 games.
A Depth-Obsessed Template That Squeezes Out Specialists
India’s selection model right now resembles a Rubik’s Cube solved only by making every square the same color: three spinners, three pacers, and a batting option at No. 8 in Harshit Rana. It’s safe, it’s symmetrical, and it leaves zero space for a pure finisher like Rinku.
The dilemma? Rinku’s recent form makes the omission even harder to justify. A pair of first-class hundreds after months on the bench shows match readiness, not rust. Yet India continues to chase the idea of bowling depth even when part-timers exist within the XI. The outcome is a rigid structure that values optional overs over guaranteed end-overs impact. And in T20 cricket, that trade-off rarely ends well.
Ignoring a Proven Finisher Is a Tactical Gamble
India’s finishing core right now reads like a committee rather than a command centre. Hardik Pandya is the only seasoned closer. Jitesh Sharma and Sanju Samson are battling for the gloves. Dube, Axar, and Sundar offer bursts, not a sustained threat.
Against that backdrop, Rinku’s exclusion becomes even more perplexing. His strike rate of 204.67 in the final four overs dwarfs Axar, Sundar, and Dube and even edges past Hardik. Add his six-hitting frequency of one every 6.58 balls, and India is effectively sidelining the most efficient death-overs batter in their system.
This isn’t about preferring all-rounders. It’s about mistaking flexibility for finishing power. Depth helps you survive overs. Finishers help you win them. India seems to have forgotten the difference.
Another Confidence Hit in a Role That Runs on Clarity
Finishers don’t thrive on sporadic chances; they thrive on clarity, continuity, and trust. Rinku has been denied all three.
He had also been anticipated to play for India at the 2024 ICC Men’s Twenty20 Cricket World Cup (T20 WC), however, he was removed from the team with an average of 89 and a strike rate of 174 after the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season; since being removed, he has participated in 20 international games under the current administration and has faced over 30 deliveries only 3 times. His position as “the designated finisher” has transitioned to “a situational afterthought.”
Dropping him again on the eve of a World Cup cycle risks more than just selection imbalance. It risks breaking the confidence of a finisher who already endured a career-altering snub last year. This is the one profile India should be protecting, not pruning.
Key Takeaway
India didn’t just drop Rinku Singh; they dropped the clarity their death overs desperately needed.
FAQs
- Why is Rinku’s omission considered a risky call?
India lacks a proven finisher with his strike rate, consistency, and death-overs temperament.
- How does India’s current squad structure impact this decision?
An overemphasis on all-rounders leaves no slot for specialist hitters, even those in top form.
- How can Rinku force his way back in?
By continuing to dominate domestic cricket and waiting for India’s selection model to reopen space for a specialist finisher.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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