Indian national cricket team head coach Ajit Agarkar revealed why Rinku Singh missed the team for the 2024 T20 World Cup. He stated that leaving out the young batsman was the hardest thing they had done so far and that it was an unfortunate thing.
When the Indian team for the 2024 T20 World Cup was announced, Rinku Singh was one of the names who were not included. The young batsman’s absence caused a stir because not many expected this batsman to miss the team.
Rinku Singh is arguably one of the best batsmen in T20I cricket for the Indian team last year. The batsman has done nothing wrong in his short career for the national team and even in the Indian Premier League, he has been one of the best finishers for his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders in recent years.
Rinku Singh averaged 90 in the T20Is which says a lot about what he has done for the team. The batsman also played some great innings for the team while enforcing the order and also bailed them out when they faltered and lost early wickets.
Ajit Agarkar spoke about Rinku Singh’s snub and said that the batsman along with Shubman Gill, who was also picked, did nothing wrong for the team. He also talked about the composition of the team. Speaking to reporters, he stated:
“Probably the hardest thing we’ve ever had to do. He didn’t do anything wrong, neither did Shubman Gill. It’s the combinations again. As Rohit said, we are not sure what terms we will get. We tried to have enough options.” There are a few wrist spinners, Chahal and Kuldeep, to give Rohit more options.
I don’t think it has anything to do with Rinku Singh and Ajit Agarkar in selecting the batsman
Ajit Agarkar further spoke about it and said that it was not his fault that Rinku Singh was not included in the team but that they needed to add two goalkeepers in the team. While talking about Rinku being a traveling reservist, he claimed that it was tough for him. He added:
“It’s just unfortunate. I don’t think it has anything to do with Rinku Singh. It’s not his fault he missed it. It’s more like the 15 we think will come with two keepers who are already great batters.”
“So we just thought it would be handy to have another bowling option. He is still one of the traveling substitutes.
Rinku Singh is among the reserves along with Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed. With the deadline for a squad change still a while away, it remains to be seen whether any of them will get a chance in the team.