Rinku Singh returns home due to family emergency, does not take part in practice ahead of IND-ZIM T20 WC clash: Source
By Vipul Kashyap, Chennai, February 24
Indian batter Rinku Singh did not attend the team's practice session ahead of the do-or-die ICC T20 World Cup clash against Zimbabwe in Chennai as he has gone back home due to a family emergency, as per sources.
Team India will be playing a must-win clash against Zimbabwe at Chennai on Thursday. After a humiliating 76-run loss to South Africa in their Super Eight phase opener, the Men in Blue will need to win their remaining matches to keep themselves alive in their title defence and also hope that South Africa ends the Super Eight phase unbeaten.
Plenty of players like Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, Tilak Varma, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson etc. were visible during the practice, but Rinku was not present at the field.
So far, Rinku has had a mixed bag World Cup with the bat, often arriving at the crease with very few balls left to score. He has made just 24 runs in five innings, staying unbeaten twice and having a best score of 11*. In 10 T20Is this year, the left-hander has made 115 runs in eight innings at an average of 28.75, with a strike rate of 132.18 and best score of 44*.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is a big blow. He's our best finisher. But hope he's okay. We need to win this for him now! Come on India!
Honestly, his form wasn't great anyway. Maybe this forces the team to try someone like Tilak or Abhishek in the middle order. Silver lining?
The pressure on the team just doubled. Must-win match and now a key player is out for personal reasons. Hope the management has a solid Plan B.
Prayers for Rinku's family. Cricket can wait. These boys play for the country but they are sons and brothers first. Respect to BCCI for letting him go.
His strike rate is still 132! He's been coming in with 5 balls left, what can anyone do? Team needs to use him better when he returns. For now, focus on Zimbabwe.
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