In the ongoing five-match T20I series against Australia, Rinku Singh has been phenomenal. He has been India’s best finisher in the last few months, with some blistering knocks in the Asian Games and in the recent T20I series. His amazing batting performance started with a bang against the Gujarat Titans this year when he smacked 30 runs off Yash Dayal.
Now, GT head coach and former India pacer Ashish Nehra praised Rinku and said that he might become India’s best bet in the 50-over format. He also said that Rinku can bat atop the batting order for India in ODIs. “This is not the first time he has done it. We have all been discussing his role and his power. Not just about his batting; even with the way he throws himself on the field, it shows he is a great team man, says Nehra while speaking with broadcasters.
“He will be a great asset to Indian cricket. Yes, we are talking only about T20 cricket, but who knows, tomorrow he can also be playing ODI cricket. I am not a big fan of the word ‘finisher’. Your opener can be a finisher; if he scores a hundred, he can finish the game and come back. At times, it can be harsh”, he further added.
“I can see him playing 50-over cricket,” says Ashish Nehra
Further explaining his observation, Nehra said that he could see Rinku playing a top in the order for India. “Let me give you an example if the same Rinku Singh doesn’t finish the game once or twice. Coming back to Rinku Singh, he is someone who can even play up the order. I can see him playing in 50-over cricket going forward. He can bat at No. 4, No. 5, or No. 6,” he said.
It’s worth noting that Rinku Singh has scored around 700 runs in 29 IPL innings at an average of 36.25 and a strike rate of 142.16. His amazing batting performances continued in recent T20Is, as he scored 128 runs in 4 innings at an average of 128.00 and a strike rate of 216.95. Ashish Nehra’s observation might be Indian team management‘s thinking too.
Here is how fans react to Ashish Nehra’s comments:
Rinku Singh said, "I was confident to finish the match and win the match for my team on the last ball".
– The confidence of Rinku…!!! ??#RinkuSingh pic.twitter.com/AcKB9dYLyg
— ??..Rai ji..?? (@Vinod_r108) November 29, 2023
He has a very good avg in Ranji and domestic tournaments.
He surely has the caliber to play in top order too pic.twitter.com/PVKfkttPIF
— Extraa Cover (@ExtraaaCover) November 29, 2023
India should first focus on him playing T20s as finisher
Let's not mix the formats so early..!! pic.twitter.com/kmyhtJuM0l
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) November 29, 2023
No let him play the finisher role. He is good at that. . He should be given chance in odi's pic.twitter.com/LMHL5M014c
— Karthik (@vsk_says) November 29, 2023
Proud of Captain Rohit Sharma, he created a player like Rinku and today he is winning matches for India. pic.twitter.com/o8YuQWQswI
— ?????????? (@rushiii_12) November 29, 2023
Till WT20 2024 let him just sharpen his skills in the T20 format uske baad lets start experimenting him in ODIs. When SKY was doing well in IPL, ODI chodo there were calls to pick him in tests . pic.twitter.com/Zp8mCQGexv
— Anurag Rekhi (@Dravidict) November 29, 2023
Hope he get chance in 2024 odi series against sri Lanka
— ANANT ?? (@Akk_vk18) November 29, 2023
Don't want him in odi cricket at this moment
— Omar. (@OmarBalochh) November 29, 2023
Someone need to ask Nehra ji "how many batters we have who can finish the game like him?"
— Jitender Girdhar (@JGirdhar01) November 29, 2023
