New Delhi: India’s dynamic T20I batter Rinku Singh acknowledged that his underwhelming performance in the last Ranji Trophy season was the key reason behind his exclusion from the recently announced Duleep Trophy squads. Despite his strong first-class record, Rinku, who has become a crucial part of India’s T20I team, admitted that limited appearances in the previous Ranji season affected his chances. In his most recent red-ball match for Uttar Pradesh, he scored 26 runs off 33 balls in a draw against Andhra.
Rinku Singh is considered as India’s next big thing as a finisher in T20Is with his ability to hit sixes at will. The Up batter has a great in the shortest format of the game in T20Is for India, he gathered total 418 runs in 23 matches with a great an impressive average of 59.71. In a very short span of time, he has already won numerous matches for India in the shortest format. Still, he has yet to make his Test debut.
It could be interpreted from the fact that Rinku Singh was not picked in any of the four squads selected for the Duleep Trophy that he does not figure in red-ball plans by the BCCI.
Rinku Singh, 26, conceded that his minimal involvement in the last Ranji Trophy season and recent red-ball performances were reasons enough to keep him out of Duleep Trophy squads.
“Nothing…I didn’t perform that well (in the domestic season). I didn’t play many matches in the Ranji Trophy…I played 2-3 matches. I wasn’t selected because I didn’t play that well. I might get selected for next-round matches,” Rinku told Sportstak.
Rinku Singh, who made his ODI debut in December last year but has yet to play Test cricket, was part of the Indian squad during the Test series against England earlier this year. Recently, he showcased his exceptional fielding skills, earning the ‘Fielder of the Series’ award after India’s 3-0 victory over Sri Lanka in the T20I series. India head coach T Dilip had announced the contenders for the award, naming Ravi Bishnoi, Rinku Singh, and Riyan Parag, but it was assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate who presented the medal to the 26-year-old.
