Lucknow: Rinku Singh, the 28-year-old Uttar Pradesh and Kolkata Knight Riders batsman, is set to embark on a fresh chapter in his international career following his inclusion in the India T20 squad for the upcoming World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad on December 20, 2025, bringing Singh back into the fold after solid domestic performances.
Singh's selection comes as a welcome development, especially considering his exclusion from the recent T20I series against South Africa. Former Indian cricketer Saba Karim expressed surprise at Singh's initial omission after the Asia Cup 2025, emphasizing that the young batsman had done nothing to warrant being dropped. Karim highlighted Singh's match-winning boundary in the Asia Cup final against Pakistan as a testament to his capabilities under pressure.
With the T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, Singh is eager to seize this opportunity and solidify his place in the Indian team. The tournament, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will commence on February 7, 2026, with India facing the USA at the Wankhede Stadium. India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Netherlands, USA, and Namibia.
Karim believes that including Rinku Singh in the World Cup squad was an obvious decision for the selectors. He argued that Singh is a more proven finisher than Jitesh Sharma, particularly with Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan already included as wicketkeeper-batters. Singh's ability to perform under pressure and his impressive strike rate in T20 cricket make him a valuable asset to the team. In 25 T20I innings, he has scored 550 runs with a strike rate of 161.76. Across 150 T20 innings, he has amassed 3,397 runs at a strike rate of 147.63.
While some critics have questioned the overall composition of the squad, particularly the batting order, Singh's inclusion has generally been well-received. Former Indian cricketer Kris Srikkanth raised concerns about who would bat at No. 5, suggesting that it could be any of Sanju Samson, Jitesh Sharma, Shivam Dube, or Rinku Singh.
Despite the external discussions and analyses, Rinku Singh remains focused on his own preparation and performance. He sees this World Cup selection as a fresh start and is determined to make the most of the opportunities he gets. With his finishing abilities and cool temperament, Singh has the potential to be a key player for India in the T20 World Cup 2026.
