Cricket

Former Indian cricket selector Saba Karim has suggested that Rinku Singh and Abhishek Sharma could form a formidable opening partnership for India in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Karim believes that Rinku's aggressive style and ability to play big shots would complement Sharma's more composed approach."Rinku is quite a complete player," Karim said. "If he gets more opportunities, if he gets more deliveries to face, he can add more value to the side. So there is a strong possibility of having that combination."Rinku has typically batted in the middle order for India, but Karim believes he has the potential to be a successful opener. "He comes in number six or seven, and he hardly gets any balls to get himself in," Karim said. "But if he gets more opportunities, he can be a valuable asset to the team."India's squad for the Bangladesh T20Is also includes several other exciting young players, such as Riyan Parag, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav. Yadav, who has been fast-tracked into the team after an impressive IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, is the fastest bowler in India.The team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has been in excellent form for India in recent months. Hardik Pandya is the only other senior player in the squad, which is a sign of India's commitment to developing young talent.India will play three T20Is against Bangladesh, with the first match scheduled for November 27 in Dhaka.

Despite his impressive performances for Team India, Rinku Singh was surprisingly omitted from the nation's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. However, the young batsman has revealed the encouraging words he received from captain Rohit Sharma after the setback."He (Rohit Sharma) came to me and said that it is okay, I'm still young, and there are many more tournaments to come. There is a World Cup every two years, so I shouldn't be disappointed by this but focus on my game instead," Rinku said in an interview.Despite winning the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Rinku was left out as India opted for four spin options. However, he was included as a traveling reserve.Immediately after the tournament, Rinku was included in India's T20I tour of Zimbabwe, where he played in every game as a middle-order batter. He then starred in the T20I series in Sri Lanka, impressing with the ball by picking up two wickets in the penultimate over of the final T20I to turn the game in India's favor.Presently, Rinku boasts an average of nearly 60 and a strike rate of 174 in 17 T20I innings for India. Remarkably, he has remained not out in 10 of those innings.Rinku also acknowledged Virat Kohli's style of leadership. "I like Virat Kohli as well because aggression is very important while leading a team. So, his captaincy was also very good," he said.Rinku had recently expressed his desire to play for Kohli's franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) if he is not retained by KKR.Currently, Rinku is playing in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League (UP T20), where he is captaining Meerut Mavericks. He has not been included in any of the four squads for the Duleep Trophy to be held in September.

Rinku Singh, India's promising batter, was surprisingly omitted from the main squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup, despite his impressive performances. However, he was named as a reserve player, sparking discussions among fans and analysts.Following the squad announcement, Singh revealed insights from his conversation with India's skipper, Rohit Sharma, who offered him words of encouragement. In an interview with News24, Singh shared Sharma's advice, emphasizing perseverance and the opportunities that the future holds."He came to me and made me understand that it was okay; you are still very young. There will be many World Cups in the future. Keep working hard. There is a World Cup every two years, so focus on that. Don’t be disappointed," Singh quoted Rohit.Sharma's message appears to have given Rinku a positive perspective on his future career. According to the young cricketer, Sharma stressed that age is on Rinku's side and that his chance to shine at the global level would come with ongoing effort and dedication.Even though he was not part of the main squad, Rinku expressed his admiration for Rohit’s style of leadership and his respect for Virat Kohli’s aggressive approach to captaincy. "I like Rohit Sharma's captaincy. I like Virat Kohli as well because aggression is very important while leading a team. So, his captaincy was also very good," Rinku stated.The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team successfully ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought by winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, further demonstrating the effectiveness of Sharma's leadership and the team's cohesion. Despite his exclusion from the main squad, Rinku Singh's positive attitude and respect for his leaders underline his maturity and potential as a future star in Indian cricket.

Rinku Singh, the rising star of Indian cricket, has hinted at his preferred destination if not retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the upcoming mega IPL auction. In an interview with Sports Tak, Rinku revealed that if KKR decide not to retain him, his next choice would be none other than Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)."I don't know anything yet. I haven't been told whether I will be retained or go into the auction. Let's see what happens," Rinku said when asked about his future with KKR. However, when pressed on which team he would prefer if not retained, he responded with a smile, "RCB."Rinku, who has been with KKR for several seasons, was part of the franchise's IPL 2024 title-winning squad. Despite a quieter season due to the 'Impact Player' rule limiting his opportunities, Rinku's potential as a dynamic finisher remains highly valued.In addition to discussing his potential move, Rinku also shared a good relationship with cricket legend Virat Kohli, who is synonymous with RCB."Virat bhaiya gave me a bat, which broke. I asked him for another one, and he didn't refuse. He gave me another bat. It's a big thing for me that he gave me a second bat," Rinku recounted, underscoring the respect and admiration he holds for Kohli.Rinku also touched upon his experience with Gautam Gambhir, the current head coach of the Indian team and his mentor during the IPL. He revealed that Gambhir, known for his serious demeanor on the field, also knows how to unwind after the game."He is very serious about the game...but after the match is over, he enjoys himself. It's not like he's always serious," Rinku shared.As the IPL auction draws nearer, Rinku's comments have sparked speculation about a possible move to RCB, a franchise known for its passionate fan base and star-studded lineup.

Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh's Social Media Banter Reminds Fans of Viral IPL MomentIndian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and batter Rinku Singh have engaged in a humorous exchange on social media, reminiscent of a viral video from the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year.In the IPL video, Rinku was seen requesting a bat from then-Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli. The incident became a viral sensation, with fans amused by Rinku's bold request.Now, on the eve of India's tour of Sri Lanka, Suryakumar has reignited the banter by posting an image of himself talking to Rinku on Instagram. Below the image, he wrote: "Theek hai bat le lena" (Okay, take the bat).Rinku promptly reposted the story and added: "De do bhaiya bat" (Give me the bat, brother).The exchange has delighted fans, who have flooded the comments section with laughing emojis and references to the original IPL video.Suryakumar's appointment as T20I captain comes after he pipped Hardik Pandya for the role. He will lead India in a three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka, followed by an ODI series captained by Rohit Sharma.The tour marks the first assignment for Gautam Gambhir as India's new chief coach after taking over from Rahul Dravid following the T20 World Cup.

The Indian cricket team's abundance of talent has often made it challenging for players to maintain a consistent spot in the national squad. Rinku Singh and Ruturaj Gaikwad have recently fallen victim to this competition, with Singh being omitted from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad and Gaikwad not making the cut for the Sri Lanka tour.Despite their impressive performances, both batters have been overlooked due to team combinations and preferences for different player profiles. However, former India and Chennai Super Kings batter S Badrinath has expressed his dissatisfaction with these selection decisions.In a video shared on social media, Badrinath expressed shock and surprise at Gaikwad's exclusion from the Sri Lanka series. He questioned the selection criteria, suggesting that players may need to have connections with Bollywood actresses or body tattoos to be consistently picked."Sometimes it seems like you need a bad guy image when the likes of Rinku Singh, Ruturaj Gaikwad and others are not selected for the Indian team. It seems that you need to be in a relationship with some Bollywood actresses, have a good media manager, and have body tattoos," Badrinath said in the video.Gaikwad was part of the Indian team for the Zimbabwe T20Is, where he scored 7, 77, and 49 before being rested for the fifth match. However, he was not included in the T20I squad for the Zimbabwe tour, with the selectors opting for Yashasvi Jaiswal instead. Rinku Singh, on the other hand, was selected for the team.Badrinath's comments have sparked a debate about the selection process for the Indian cricket team. While some have defended the selectors' decisions, others have questioned the fairness and transparency of the process.

Vikram Rathour, India's batting coach until the T20 World Cup 2024, acknowledges the impending transition period for the team but emphasizes the need for a controlled approach. With the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, India's T20I team will undergo significant changes.Rathour acknowledges the challenge of replacing players of Rohit and Virat's caliber. However, he believes that the recent T20I series against Zimbabwe provided a glimpse into the future of the T20 team. He highlights the emergence of young players like Shubman Gill, who led the team to a 4-1 victory.Rathour emphasizes the importance of a gradual transition, ensuring that the team maintains its depth and quality. He expresses confidence in the upcoming generation of players, including Gill, Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Dhruv Jurel, to form the core of the team across formats.Rathour also praises Rinku Singh, who has impressed in both short-format cricket and first-class matches. He believes that Singh has the potential to develop into a successful Test cricketer, citing his technical ability, calm temperament, and impressive first-class average.Reflecting on his partnership with former head coach Rahul Dravid, Rathour commends Dravid's open-mindedness and willingness to provide space for his coaches to work. He credits Dravid with fostering a collaborative environment that allowed them to implement changes in the team's batting approach, such as introducing more intent and aggression.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have emerged victorious in the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL), claiming their third title after a decade-long wait. Led by Shreyas Iyer, the Kolkata-based franchise showcased exceptional performances throughout the season, culminating in a dominant eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the summit clash.KKR's triumph was a testament to their consistent brilliance, with the team delivering extraordinary batting and bowling displays. The franchise's success was further amplified by a hilarious moment involving batter Rinku Singh, who attempted to vlog amidst the celebrations.In a video that went viral on social media, Singh welcomed viewers to his channel and urged them to subscribe and enable notifications. However, his fumbled delivery left his teammates Nitish Rana, Rana's wife, and Anukul Roy in fits of laughter."Hello guys, welcome to new vlog. Subscribe kar lo. Ghanta button daba do. We have won the final trophy. My dream has come true. This my didi (Rana's wife), bhaiya (Rana), and Anukul," Singh said.Despite his humorous antics, Singh expressed his elation at KKR's victory. "Outstanding feeling right now. Dream has come true - I have been here for 7 years and we are so happy. Credit to GG sir. I will finally lift the IPL trophy. It was God's plan," he said.While Singh's batting contributions were not as significant in this edition of the IPL, his inclusion as a traveling reserve for Team India's T20 World Cup squad is a testament to his potential. The first batch of the Indian team has already arrived in New York, where they will face Ireland in their tournament opener on June 5.

Rishabh Pant Joins Kolkata Knight Riders' IPL 2024 Title CelebrationsIndian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant made a virtual appearance at the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) victory celebrations after the team clinched the IPL 2024 title. In a heartwarming video that has gone viral on social media, Pant was seen congratulating Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana on their triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad.Pant, who is currently in the USA with the Indian cricket team preparing for the T20 World Cup 2024, expressed his joy and admiration for the KKR players. Rinku, in turn, shared his excitement about joining the team in the USA soon."Bhaiya, I am coming [to US] on 28th," Rinku said to Pant on video call.In the match itself, KKR dominated SRH, bowling them out for a mere 113. Andre Russell led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Mitchell Starc and Harshit Rana chipped in with two each.In response, Venkatesh Iyer smashed a brilliant half-century, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a fiery knock to guide KKR to a comfortable victory.KKR bowling coach Bharat Arun praised the team's performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Rana and Starc."He [Rana] has been outstanding and it's about the bowler understanding what his strengths are and when he does, it comes out beautifully on the ground," Arun said."Mitch coming into the team boosted the confidence of the other youngsters. He has been one of the best bowlers in world cricket and he has been in such situations before, it's about understanding Indian conditions and once he did that, it is magic all over."Arun also credited Gautam Gambhir for his decision to open the batting with Sunil Narine, which proved to be a game-changer for KKR."He [Narine] has brought a totally different dimension to our batting this year and it was Gautam who insisted that Sunny open and what Sunny did was outstanding," Arun said.