Due to rain preventing him from playing in the first T20I against Ireland, Kiran More expressed optimism that the talented batter Rinku Singh will have an opportunity to participate in the upcoming matches. At the end of this month, the Asia Cup will commence, followed by the ODI World Cup in India, which starts next month. These two tournaments are currently the main focus for India.
However, amidst the preparations, the management provided insights into their plans for the T20 World Cup next year. The team, expected to be captained by Hardik Pandya, initiated their preparations in the West Indies before proceeding to Ireland. Unfortunately, the opening match in Dublin on Friday was affected by rain.
Nevertheless, India managed to secure a victory by a narrow margin of two runs using the DLS method. The standout performance came from Jasprit Bumrah, who marked his return with an impressive double-wicket first over, earning him the Player of the Match award.
Kiran More emphasized the necessity of a specialized finisher in India’s T20 World Cup batting lineup next year
Speaking with Jio Cinema, ex-Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Kiran More expressed greater anticipation for Rinku Singh’s debut and his potential impact, but the Dublin rain dashed those hopes. Despite a standout IPL 2023 with Kolkata Knight Riders, earning widespread endorsement for national selection, Rinku’s chance came in the Ireland series following omission from the West Indies tour.
More is hopeful that the second and third T20Is in Ireland will give Rinku a chance to showcase his international potential. He believes that the KKR standout has the potential to become India’s next top T20I finisher, much like MS Dhoni or Yuvraj Singh.
“I have been waiting for his opportunity in the Indian team. And that batting position, of No.5 and 6, he will perform well in that spot and can end up being a brilliant finisher. We all have seen MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh. After that we haven’t got a player like them.”
“We tried making such players, but it didn’t work so far. Tilak Varma is also there, he too can perform that role. Rinku is also a brilliant fielder. And I have seen him in domestic cricket as well, he has improved a lot I feel,” he said.
During IPL 2023, Rinku emerged as the leading run-scorer at No. 5 and 6, amassing 416 runs in 13 innings at an impressive strike rate of 145.45, which included three half-centuries. Among the dozen batters facing a minimum of 75 deliveries in the death overs, Rinku’s strike rate of 186.67 came a close second to Heinrich Klaasen’s leading rate of 187.36, making it the best ever achieved by an Indian player.
Notably, his remarkable ability to consistently hit boundaries stood out, with a boundary every 3.6 balls and a six approximately every seven deliveries. Former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar echoed More’s sentiment, urging consistent opportunities for Rinku to groom him as a tailor-made finisher for the T20 World Cup next year.
The upcoming T20I between India and Ireland is scheduled for Sunday, followed by the final match on Wednesday.
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