Sourav Ganguly, the former president of BCCI, shared insights on why Rinku Singh wasn’t included in the Indian squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain and former BCCI president, expressed his joy over India’s T20 World Cup squad, considering it one of the most balanced teams the selectors could have assembled. He also voiced his sympathy for Rinku Singh, acknowledging the disappointment of being named as one of the travelling reserves despite being a strong contender for a spot in the main squad, especially given his impressive performances in the IPL.
Ganguly remains optimistic about Rinku’s future in Indian cricket, noting that the 26-year-old has plenty of potential and opportunities ahead. He understands the rationale behind the selection committee’s decision, led by Ajit Agarkar, to prioritize an additional spinner for the spin-friendly conditions expected in the West Indies.
Despite Rinku Singh’s omission, Ganguly highlights the left-handed batter’s valuable contributions in the limited chances he’s had for India, particularly in fulfilling the finishing role in shorter formats. Rinku’s stellar record of 356 runs in 15 T20Is, boasting an impressive average of 89 and a striking rate of 176.24, underscores his talent and potential for future opportunities on the international stage.
“I think this is one of the fairest teams I have seen. I am not saying other teams are not fair. I think the selectors and Rohit have done a fantastic job in picking this side. I think Rinku missed out because they wanted to go with another spinner. But Rinku is in standby, so fingers crossed. It is just the beginning of Rinku’s career. He will play a lot for India. I think he should not be disheartened with this. But I think this is a very strong team, solid team,” Ganguly said while speaking to reporters in Kolkata.
The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, chose to include four spin bowlers in the squad, with two of them being all-rounders. Chief Selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that Rinku Singh’s exclusion wasn’t based on his performance. Agarkar mentioned that the team wanted another bowling option for the World Cup.
Despite this, Rinku Singh finds himself on the reserve list for the prestigious tournament. If any batter faces an injury, the Uttar Pradesh-born cricketer can be drafted into the team. It’s important to note that changes to the preliminary squad can be made until May 25, following ICC guidelines.
On another note, skipper Rohit Sharma mentioned that he hasn’t finalized the playing XI yet, as he isn’t familiar with the conditions in the USA. However, he hinted at the possibility of including an extra spinner if needed.
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