‘Ise bhi bench pe bithaenge’ – Fans react as Rinku Singh is likely to get picked in Indian T20I squad for West Indies tour

Kolkata Knight Riders star batter Rinku Singh is reportedly set to earn his maiden India call for the upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies. The selectors already announced the squads for Tests and ODIs last week, with Rohit Sharma taking charge of both sides. India is scheduled to play two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is against the hosts.

However, allrounder Hardik Pandya is likely to lead the Indian T20I squad if the selectors decide to give Rohit Sharma a rest. According to the reports by TOI, Rinku is set to be included in the Indian squad for the upcoming series. Rinku had a sensational outing in IPl 2023 as he was the highest scorer for KKR with 474 runs for KKR in 14 matches at an average of 59.25.

The report further stated that the pacer Umesh Yadav is suffering from a hamstring injury and is rehabilitating at National Cricket Academy in Bangalore. “Umesh is suffering from a hamstring injury and is recovering at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore,” a source from Indian Cricket Board was quoted as saying by TOI newspaper.

‘The doors aren’t closed on any senior player’ – Reports

The source also said that the doors are not closed for Chetehswar Pujara as he has been ruled out of the Test squad for the upcoming tour. The veteran batter missed out on India’s red-ball squad due to inconsistency in the past few months. However, young players like Yashasvi Jasiwal and Ruturaj Gaikwad got their maiden India call.

“If Ajinkya Rahane can be made vice-captain of the Test side after being out for 15 months before the WTC Final, anyone can make a comeback. The doors aren’t closed on any senior player,” the report added.

India’s Test Squad:

Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ajinkya Rahane (VC), KS Bharat (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Mohd. Siraj, Mukesh Kumar, Jaydev Unadkat, Navdeep Saini.

India’s ODI Squad:

Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Virat Kohli, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Shardul Thakur, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.