Rinku Singh’s omission was one of the highlights of India’s squad announced for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 last month.

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 spinner Harbhajan Singh has also raised question over the left-hander’s snub.

"The World Cup team has been selected. The batting is good. I think we are one fast bowler short. One player that I think we will miss is Rinku Singh, because he is someone who can win the match single-handedly for us. He can chase down 60 runs in 20 balls. I think selecting four spinners is a bit too much. Three would have been enough. I wish the Team India all the best, hope they bring the cup," Harbhajan said while speaking to ANI.

Wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal earned a recall in the national side for the showpiece tournament, slated to be held in the West Indies and USA from June 1 to June 29. Besides Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Akshar Patel are the spinning options in the squad. Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh will assist India's pace battery led by Jasprit Bumrah.

"I do not think we will ever play four spinners in a game. Ravindra Jadeja will play. Maybe Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will play with him. Maybe we will field three spinners in a game. We will get to know the combo on seeing the conditions," Harbhajan opined.

According to Harbhajan Singh, the real tournament will start for India when the team will travel to West Indies for the Super-8 round but the group stage clash against Pakistan in New York on June 9 could set the momentum for Rohit Sharma’s men.

"I am sure we will win against Pakistan, we have a great track record against them and have a better team," he added.

The former spinner also said that while Rishabh Pant performed well on his return to competitive cricket during the IPL 2024, Sanju Samson should get a chance in India’s playing XI as a wicketkeeper-batter.

"Rishabh Pant played well in the IPL. He has come out of his injuries. He looked fit, batted well and did some nice wicketkeeping. But Sanju played really well. I would like to see him get a chance. He has been performing consistently. He has been scoring 60s and 70s and is not the old Sanju anymore who would score just 30s and 40s. But there has been no hurry in bringing Pant back, he worked really hard. I hope he does something special for India," Harbhajan remarked.

India will open their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5.

India Squad: 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

(With ANI Inputs)