The BCCI selectors and team management have backed Rinku Singh to play the finisher's role in the upcoming Asia Cup. However, former cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra doesn’t see the southpaw featuring in India’s XI during the continental showpiece.
Rinku is known for his hard-hitting skills. His cameos lower down the order often play a role in propelling the team to a big total or helping the side chase down huge targets.
Of late, the left-hander has come under scrutiny for failing to play any noteworthy knock. Rinku has managed to score just one fifty in his last 13 T20I innings. He had an underwhelming IPL 2025 season with KKR, scoring just 206 runs at a strike rate of 153.73.
Chopra reckons Rinku would not get to play for India at the Asia Cup 2025, slated to take place in the UAE from September 9 to September 28. He added that Shivam Dube might get a chance to play.
Chopra shared his thoughts while responding to a user's question on why Shashank Singh was not considered as a finisher in the Indian squad for the eight-team tournament.
"It's a good question. His number will come, but it can't come so soon because there is no place," said Chopra while responding to the query on his YouTube channel
"Rinku Singh, as a finisher, will be sitting out currently, and Shivam Dube will probably play at No. 7 if he gets a chance to play. Hardik Pandya and Jitesh Sharma are there. Where is the place?" Chopra added.
Team India have been slotted in Group A alongside Oman, hosts UAE, and arch-rivals Pakistan for the Asia Cup, while Group B features Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.
The Men in Blue will begin their campaign against UAE on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India squad for Asia Cup 2025: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Stand-bys: Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel, Yashasvi Jaiswal
