Rinku makes a statement with power-packed display

Rinku enhances his reputation with a 39-ball 68* after India skipper Surya’s 36-ball 56 in 2nd T201

- HT Correspondent

Rinku Singh provided compelling evidence of his T20 credentials in the rain-interrupted second T20I against South Africa in Gqeberha on Tuesday.

Coming in at 55/3 in the sixth over, the 26-year-old from AIigarh cracked an unbeaten 68 off 39 balls as India reached 180/7 in 19.3 overs when the rain came down.

The overcast skies influenced South Africa captain Aiden Markram's decision to bowl, but the flat pitch allowed the left-handed batter to bolster his case for a spot in India's squad for the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and United States in June.

With India just playing four T20Is (one versus South Africa and three versus Afghanistan) before that, it is performances in IPL that are likely to determine the squad composition for the marquee event. For the moment, Rinku seems well placed to make the cut with his role as a finisher at No. 6 having few competitors.

Hardik Pandya too is suited to that slot, but Rinku has certainly shown this year that he deserves to be in the mix. While he has been part of IPL since 2018, he had a breakthrough campaign in 2023, tallying 474 runs in 14 matches at a strike rate of 149.53.