IND v BAN 2024: “Whatever the situation, maarte jao” – Rinku Singh opens up about life under Gambhir-Suryakumar

Rinku revealed that both the coach and captain have given the team full freedom.

By Salman Anjum - 10 Oct, 2024

Team India produced a complete performance to hammer Bangladesh by 86 runs in the second T20I at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Wednesday (October 9).

Invited to bat first, the hosts were struggling on 45/3 at the end of the powerplay. However, the duo of Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh led India’s recovery with a superb partnership of 108 runs for the fourth wicket.

While Reddy smashed 74 off 34 balls with four boundaries and seven sixes, Rinku returned with 53 off 29 balls with five boundaries and three sixes. Thanks to their dazzling half-centuries and Hardik Pandya’s crucial cameo (32 off 19), India racked up a mammoth 221/9 on the board.

Defending the total, the Indian bowlers did exceptionally well as a unit to restrict Bangladesh to a paltry 135/9 in 20 overs.

After the game, Rinku Singh revealed that coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav have given the players full freedom to express themselves.

"The coach and captain have asked us to play our game, and whatever the situation, the message from them is maarte jao ball ko (just keep hitting the ball)," Rinku quoted while speaking in the post-match presser.

"The coach has asked us to back ourselves and play our game. He has given us full freedom to hit the ball," he added.

Reflecting on his knock where he initially took time before launching attack on the Bangladesh bowlers, the southpaw said, "At the position I play, I get batting at different junctures of the game. Whenever I get to bat earlier, my aim is to take singles and doubles and attack the bad balls."

"When I come to bat with 2-3 overs left, my aim is to hit more fours and sixes. My main aim is to collect more and more runs for the team," he explained.

According to Rinku, batting conditions were tough initially and Reddy’s sixes Mahmudullah changed the momentum for the hosts.

"When the match started, the ball was not coming properly onto the bat. When Sanju (Samson) and Surya bhai got out, Reddy told me that the ball phans rahi hai (was sticking on the wicket). I batted accordingly, and then the wicket got a little better. We were discussing that we should get a good partnership first and get the momentum. We started with singles, and then Reddy hit sixes, and the momentum changed," he remarked.

The swashbuckling left-hander also expressed his desire to play all three formats for India. "I do see myself as an all-format player; wherever I get the opportunity, I will play," he said.

Having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead, India will aim to sweep the series in the third and final T20I in Hyderabad on Saturday (October 12).

By Salman Anjum - 10 Oct, 2024

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