Former Indian cricketer Krishnamachari Srikkanth has criticized the Indian selection committee for not keeping Rinku Singh in the 15-member squad for the upcoming 2024 World Cup and said the 26-year-old batsman has been made a “scapegoat”. Rinku made his T20 debut in 2023 against Ireland, after which he played 15 matches and 11 innings in which he scored 356 runs at a strike rate of 176.24. The left-handed batsman played his last 20-over match for India against Afghanistan in January 2024.
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5, 2024, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, followed by the marquee clash against Pakistan on June 9, 2024, at the same venue. India will face the USA and Canada on June 12 and 15 respectively.
Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Srikkanth highlighted Rinku’s unbeaten 69 runs against the Afghan team in the 3rd T20I. He also criticized the Indian selectors and called it a “trash” team.
“He played decisive knocks in South Africa. Remember the game against Afghanistan in which Rohit scored a hundred? India made it 22 for 4, from then on they scored 212. Rinku played a crucial Knock. He gave his all whenever he played for India. This is rubbish selection, why do you need four spinners You made the selection to please some people and made Rinku Singh a scapegoat.
The former India captain further added that Rinku performed well in every opportunity he got and should have been present in the 15-member squad.
“I’m not happy at all. Come on you all. Rinku Singh has been talked about all over the world. He has performed at every opportunity he got. How can you abandon Rinku Singh? You abandon anyone else, it doesn’t matter. In my opinion, Rinku Singh should be there, even if it means you have to abandon Yashasvi Jaiswal,” he added.
India added two wicketkeepers including Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson to their squad. Star batsman Virat Kohli, who has been making great runs in the ongoing IPL 2024, has also been added to the squad.
Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan were named reserve players.
India are placed in Group A of the ICC tournament alongside arch-rivals Pakistan, Ireland, Canada and co-hosts USA.
India Squad:Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (Wk), Sanju Samson (Wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh , Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Sir.
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