India and South Africa are presently engaged in a four-match IND vs SA T20I series, with Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav, taking a 1-0 lead after their thumping win in the series opener.
While Sanju Samson dazzled with a record-breaking ton, several players, including Rinku Singh, faltered with the bat. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star failed to make an impact, prompting former cricketer Aakash Chopra to question whether Team India is being fair to him.
Also on ABP Live | IPL 2025: List Of Top Players Expected To Set Records With High Auction Bids
Rinku Singh had a lackluster performance in IND vs SA 1st T20I, scoring just 11 runs off 10 balls while batting at number six. Former cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra, on his YouTube channel, raised concerns about the handling of Rinku by Indian cricket team management.
He questioned whether Team India was doing justice to the young batter, pointing out that Rinku has consistently delivered strong performances with a good strike rate whenever given the opportunity to bat higher up the order. Chopra specifically asked why Rinku wasn’t sent in at number four during IND vs SA 1st T20I in Durban, despite being one of the team’s preferred choices.
“Are we being fair to Rinku? It’s a very important question. Why am I asking this question? You kept him in the team first, he is your original choice player. He was in your team against Bangladesh and before that as well. Whenever you have sent him up the order or he has got to bat in the powerplay, he has scored runs every time,” said Chopra.
“He has scored a half-century every time. He has emerged as a crisis man. He scored those half-centuries at very good strike rates. So this was that opportunity. Why don’t you send him at No. 4? What is the reason that you only send Rinku down the order, always at No. 6?” said Chopra.
The former Indian cricketer claimed that Rinku can play up the order.
“I am asking this question only because Rinku can finish, but he is not just a finisher. This is my understanding. I feel he knows how to drive the game. He is hitting sixes but he is not someone who muscles the ball. He is not Andre Russell and he is not Hardik Pandya as well,” said Chopra.
The second T20I of four-match IND vs SA T20I series will be played on Sunday (November 10).
