Rinku all set to return as Men in Blue eye another series win

Rinku Singh, India's T20 specialist, faces challenges in international cricket against England's aggressive bowling in Pune.

He is among the leading lights of India’s T20 specialists. Having made a seamless transition from the Indian Premier league (IPL) to the international arena during the 2023-24 season of India’s relentless bilateral T20I onslaught, the last 12 months have been topsy-turvy for Rinku Singh.

Having missed the bus by a whisker in what turned out to be a triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, Rinku’s quest to be considered for longer formats has remained unfulfilled for now. Moreover, he sustained a back-spasm during India’s series-opener against England last week that ruled him out of the last two games.

With India’s batters having succumbed to England’s aggressive bowling plans during the chase in Rajkot two nights ago, Rinku’s availability for the penultimate game of the five-match series, to be played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on the outskirts of Pune, was on top of everyone’s mind.

The moment the left-handed batter stepped on to the field for the warm-ups, it was a giveaway that India had a reason to smile on the eve of the match. By the time Ryan ten Doeschate, the assistant coach, confirmed his availability for Friday’s game and returned to the field, Rinku was already batting in the nets.

He looked at ease while tonking India’s spinners — something that the England batters have struggled to achieve — and against the pace, especially the throwdowns. Captain Suryakumar Yadav will be hoping for Rinku to fire — should the need arise — against a four-pronged England pace attack that spewed venom in Rajkot to take the fizz out of India’s chase.

Rinku’s addition as a finisher will certainly help the India think-tank to persist with its obsession of left and right-hand combination at the crease for most of the 20 overs. More importantly, it will give Hardik Pandya a much-needed support in the role of a finisher. Rinku’s ability to clear the field under pressure will mean Hardik can also free his arms more often that he did in Rajkot.

If Rinku manages to stave off the fiery challenge of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, India will in all likelihood be able to travel to Mumbai with yet another home series win with a match to spare.