Rinku Singh on Duleep Trophy Snub: ‘I Wasn’t Chosen Because…
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made it clear that Rinku Singh does not currently feature in their strategic plans for red-ball cricket, as evidenced by his omission from all four squads selected for the upcoming Duleep Trophy tournament, which highlights their decision to not include him in this particular format of the game at this time.
Rinku Singh is yet to make his Test debut for India.
Flamboyant Indian batter Rinku Singh recently made a candid admission regarding his exclusion from the Duleep Trophy squads, recently announced by the BCCI. He attributed his absence from the prestigious tournament to his performance during last season’s Ranji Trophy, which he acknowledged fell short of expectations. Despite his established role as an integral part of India’s T20 International set-up, and a respectable record in first-class cricket, Singh’s recent form in the longer format did not meet the selectors’ criteria. The left-handed Uttar Pradesh cricketer has accumulated a commendable total of 3,173 runs at an average of over 50 across 47 first-class matches, including seven centuries. Nevertheless, his limited participation in the previous season’s Ranji Trophy, with a modest contribution of 26 runs off 33 balls in his most recent red-ball appearance for Uttar Pradesh in a drawn match against Andhra, likely influenced the decision-makers’ selection process.
Rinku Singh: India's Emerging T20 Finisher with a Promising Record Yet to Shine in Test Cricket
Rinku Singh is widely regarded as one of India’s most promising emerging finishers in T20 International cricket, celebrated for his exceptional ability to clear the boundary with ease and precision in the shortest format of the game. The Uttar Pradesh batter has quickly established himself as a vital asset for India in T20Is, amassing 418 runs across 23 matches at a remarkable average of 59.71. His impressive performance and knack for delivering crucial match-winning innings in high-pressure situations have made him a standout player in the limited-overs format.
Despite his rapid rise and numerous match-winning contributions in T20 cricket, Singh has yet to make his debut in international red-ball cricket. His continued absence from Test matches stands in contrast to his success in T20s, highlighting a significant gap in his career that many cricket enthusiasts and analysts are keenly anticipating will be addressed in the near future.
Conclusion
As Rinku Singh continues to make strides in T20 cricket, the challenge now lies in refining his skills and form in the longer format to align with the BCCI’s expectations and secure a place in future red-ball selections. His current focus will likely be on addressing the gaps in his first-class performance, aiming to bridge the divide between his limited-overs success and his aspirations in Test cricket.