Rinku Singh’s omission was one of the highlights of India’s squad announced for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Tuesday (April 30).
The southpaw failed to make the cut despite performing well in whatever opportunities he has received to represent India in the shortest format so far.
In 15 T20Is and 11 innings, Rinku has amassed 356 runs at an average of 89 and a strike rate of 176.24 while batting in the middle-order. He also has two half-centuries to his name.
While Rinku didn't find a place in the 15-member touring party, he has been included in the travelling reserves alongside Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed.
However, Rinku’s absence from the main squad has triggered a debate. Former India cricketers Rohan Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag have also raised questions over the left-hander’s snub.
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Rohan stated that a certain few players wouldn't warrant a place in the squad if only IPL 2024 performances were the criteria behind selection for the showpiece global tournament.
“If IPL 2024 is the metric, where has Mohammed Siraj picked wickets for RCB? Suryakumar Yadav… he was always in my team, and he should be there in T20 World Cup too. But even he hasn't performed (for MI),” Rohan said.
Known for candid expressions, Sehwag claimed that certain players were picked on “reputation.”
"Some players are going there on reputation. Like Suryakumar, his reputation is that he is an explosive hitter. Yes, he can have bad days. Rinku Singh is also like him, the difference is that he is young and Suryakumar is experienced. And Indian selectors have preferred experience. Rinku is young, he can play later, too.
“We said after the previous World Cup that Rohit and Virat won't play in 2024, but this time, I'm sure they won't play the next,” said Sehwag.
The selectors prioritized experience as they picked veteran campaigners like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the squad. Notably, the two batting stalwarts didn’t play a T20I match after the last T20 World Cup until they made a return to the shortest format for India during the home series against Afghanistan earlier this year.
Hardik Pandya, who had led the T20I side in Rohit's absence last year, has been named the vice-captain for the World Cup, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29.
Rohan Gavaskar also opined that the Impact Player rule hurt Rinku Singh's chances significantly. He also argued that had the rule not been in place, Shivam Dube could have showcased his bowling skills in the ongoing IPL.
“I believe the Impact Player has dropped Rinku Singh. If there was no Impact Player, we would know whether Shivam Dube is bowling or not and whether he could go as an all-rounder. If you were selecting Shivam Dube as an all-rounder, you might have taken a bowler less. And that would've created a space for a batter, and Rinku could've been selected,” Rohan remarked.
Team India’s 15-member squad for T20 World Cup 2024:
Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh
Travelling Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan
