Nitish Rana, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 2023, published a mysterious message on social media on July 5, a few hours after India’s team for the forthcoming T20I series against the West Indies was revealed. Both Rana and his KKR colleague Rinku Singh failed to get a spot in the Indian team that will play 5 Twenty20 Internationals versus the Caribbean nation from August 3–13. In addition to leading KKR in IPL 2023, Rana also had his best-ever IPL batting season, with 413 runs in 14 games. However, the two-time IPL champions lost out on a playoff spot as they came in seventh position with 12 points.
Even though Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were rested for the Caribbean tour, Rana, 29, was unable to secure a spot in India’s T20I squad despite being one of the leading run scorers throughout the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2022–2023.
The omission of Rinku, a player who had a standout season in which he smacked five consecutive sixes against the Gujarat Titans and amassed 474 runs in 14 games at a blazing strike rate of 149 and an average of 59, prompted many questions. Rana tweeted a mysterious message on his Twitter account after Hardik Pandya was named the captain of India’s most recent T20I team. The message said, “Bad days build better days.”
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma rested for T20I series against West Indies
Yashasvi Jaiswal, along with Tilak Varma, received their first calls to the Indian team, and Sanju Samson returned to the team for the T20I tour of the West Indies. The Indian Cricket Board continued to manage Rohit and Virat’s workload under the direction of the selection committee’s new chief selector, Ajit Agarkar while giving the go-ahead to Mukesh Kumar as well as Umran Malik for the pace batteries.
It’s possible that the selectors might consider players other than Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja to compete in the 2024 T20 World Cup given their absence. The West Indies T20I team will continue to be captained by all-rounder Hardik Pandya, and powerful batsman Suryakumar Yadav will serve as his replacement.
Fans react as Nitish Rana posts cryptic message after being overlooked for T20I series against West Indies: –
— Nitish Rana (@NitishRana_27) July 5, 2023
Competition is so so tough.
Always someone deserving will miss.
IPL gives more visibility still Rinku is not selected.
My Personal View- You might need 500+ run season(with 150 SR) and some wickets(that wl be big plus) in IPL to get into this Indian T20 side else so many in queue— . (@abc_xyz1102) July 5, 2023
Bro just sign the all Knight Riders teams and make money. In mdrchdo se ummid na rkho
— S H A H I D. (@Irfy_Pathaan56) July 5, 2023
Dont tweet like this and you will never be selected bro.
Everyone will get their chance . Till then put in yo hard work
ATB??— Common_man (@_am_who_iam) July 6, 2023
guy would've got a call if he was in MI
— Mustafa? (@accio_luck) July 5, 2023
Chance nahi milega, India chordo and play for all Knight Riders teams with respect here the sofa merchants don't care about talent
— Arka (@ARKA0432) July 5, 2023
Knock the door down next season Rana ji, be the highest scoring middle order batsman of the season.
— Ram Toh Rambo Nikla (@MainHoonNaStan) July 6, 2023
Let your BAT do the talking, well wishes.
— Omkar Komarpant ?? (@OddGuy_27) July 5, 2023
Rinku and Rana agar abhi MI , CSK , ya RCB me hote to aaj selection ho jata.
— Rehan Ansari (@RehanAn42518215) July 5, 2023
Ireland series, asia cup ka intezar kro. Jitna Mauka mile toofan macha do. Left handed ho, benefit milega. Saare gussa pitch par uatr dena…blue cap na sahi ,2024ipl mai ? cap for dena. Phir na mile to sare kkr teams join krlo.
— milan_???? (@mkgenvisions) July 6, 2023
