Former Indian opener Aakash Chopra wants selectors to keep backing Rinku Singh and pick him for the T20 World Cup 2024. Singh scored a fine knock of 68 runs off just 39 balls with the help of nine fours and two sixes against South Africa in the second T20I at St George’s Park, Gqeberha on Tuesday.
In fact, Singh joined forces with skipper Suryakumar Yadav when India lost three wickets in the Powerplay overs. The southpaw added 70 runs with SKY to help India bounce back into the contest.
Singh was able to hit the ground running as he smashed a four on the first ball he faced. The left-hander scored with an impressive strike rate of 174.34 and delivered the goods for the team. Thus, he played an instrumental role in helping India post 180-7 on the board in 19.3 overs before rain intervened.
However, his efforts went in vain as South Africa chased down the score with five wickets in hand (DLS method) and seven balls to spare after Reeza Hendricks scored 49 off just 27 balls.
Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel, “Keep investing in Rinku Singh. He is now a part of the ODI squad as well. Whoever comes or goes, please stay with Rinku for the World Cup. Take him carefully along with you because he has scored runs whenever and wherever he has played.”
Singh scored his maiden T20I century off 30 balls as he played at the top of his game and the renowned commentator said he deserves all the praise.
“Rinku Singh deserves praise. He struck his first T20I half-century. India were once again struggling slightly when he came to bat. To be fair, it has happened twice or thrice in the last series that he got to bat around the eighth to eleventh overs, and it happened this time as well.”
Commenting on Singh’s technique, Chopra said the left-hander stays stable and waits for the bowler to make a mistake.
“The way he played, he hit seven fours behind the wickets, behind point and square leg. He stays very stable and expects the bowler to err in line, that he would play behind point if he gets the ball outside off-stump and try to turn his body and hit a four to fine leg if the ball is directed at his body.”
“The third man and fine leg are both kept inside these days, or else at least one of them is inside, and that is a possible shot to get a four. So he plays cricket intelligently.”
The third and final T20I of the series will be played at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg on Thursday.
