Former cricketer Wasim Jaffer strongly criticized the exclusion of middle-order batter Rinku Sing from India’s T20I squad, following the team’s 24-run loss to West Indies in the fourth T20I at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Wednesday (October 14).
Chasing a monumental target of 248, Sanju Samson provided an explosive start with a 23-ball 56. Tilak Varma (43) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) kept the hopes alive, but the hosts fell short, getting bowled out for 223 in 19.3 overs. This result left the five-match series levelled at 2-2.
In a video uploaded on his YouTube channel, Jaffer suggested that Rinku could have pulled off a win for India in the penultimate T20I, claiming the southpaw is "miles ahead of everyone else" from a batter's perspective when looking at the No. 5 and 6 positions.
Jaffer also highlighted Rinku's value as an impactful left-handed finisher, who has rescued India and his IPL franchise from tough situations time and again.
"If you look from a batter's perspective, Rinku is miles ahead of everyone else. He bats amazingly at No. 5 and 6, plus he is a left-hander. I feel it is very unfortunate that he is not part of this Indian team purely because he can't bowl. I can understand Rajat's case, as he bats in the top order and there is no place there, but Rinku should be there," Jaffer said.
"If you had Rinku in that position, you never know. He could have changed the game. He has the capacity and has won a lot of matches in franchise cricket in this manner," he added.
Rinku Singh, who hasn’t played for India since the away T20I series against Zimbabwe in July, recently slammed a century (112) for his state team Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 opener against Bihar.
In the same video, Jaffer said it is unfair to expect Naman Dhir to consistently deliver a full 4-over quota in T20Is, considering his current lack of variations. In the fourth T20I, Dhir bowled a single over and conceded 19 runs.
Jaffer emphasized that for Dhir to retain his spot as a T20I all-rounder, his primary skill—batting—needs to fire. He also reminded the Indian team management that the Punjab lad is better suited to providing quick 25-30 run cameos than holding down frontline bowling duties.
"It is a bit difficult for off-spinners to bowl after the powerplay if you don't have variety. Roston Chase does it; credit to him. If you don't have that cleverness or variation, especially in India, it becomes very difficult. So to expect that Naman Dhir will bowl four overs is too ambitious."
"I feel his performance with the bat is very important for him to play T20 cricket. Unfortunately, that has not happened in the last two matches, but he has the capability to come and play a quick 25-30 cameo."
The series-deciding fifth and final T20I will be played in Bengaluru on Saturday (October 17).
