Former Indian cricketer Abhishek Nayar reckons Rinku Singh is ahead of the competition for the T20 World Cup spot due to his finisher’s role. Singh grabbed his opportunity with both hands in the five-match T20I series against Australia.

The left-hander scored 14-ball 22 to get India over the line in the run-chase of 209 runs in the series’ opening game against Australia.

The southpaw scored another fine knock of 9-ball 31 in the second T20I against Australia to add the finishing touches and helped India post 235 runs on the board.

The Uttar Pradesh batter scored a blistering knock of 46 runs off just 29 balls in the fourth game to help India post 174 runs after not getting his chance in the third game.

Singh has scored 174 runs in five T20I innings at a whirlwind strike rate of 197.73 and he has shown the skills to take up the finisher role for the national team. But the youngster was dismissed cheaply after scoring only six runs in the fifth T20I against the visitors.

Meanwhile, Singh had done a fine job while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. The left-hander has scored 725 runs in 31 IPL matches at an average of 36.25 and a strike rate of 142.16.

“I think that’s a really tough question. I think all four have done exceedingly well. Since I look at the strike-rates and runs, 190 strike-rate.”

“I just feel he has put his hand up saying that ‘I can be the finisher for India.’ Yes. there’s a Hardik Pandya. But he is a slightly different player now. Takes his time and then play the big shots. So, I Think at the finisher’s role, Rinku Singh has slightly pipped ahead of them and said ‘yes, I am the batter who can bat anywhere, but I am playing that finisher’s role exceedingly well. So it’s Rinku Singh for me,” said Nayar on JioCinema.

After his impressing one and all in the T20I format, Singh has received a maiden call-up for the ODI series against South Africa.