The countdown to the Asia Cup squad announcement has begun, and with it comes intense speculation over who will make the cut. Ajit Agarkar’s selection panel faces a series of tough calls, and while Shubman Gill’s place continues to dominate the discussion, another name has slipped into the spotlight — Rinku Singh.
From IPL Heroics to Uncertain Future
Rinku became a household name in 2022 after smashing five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal for Kolkata Knight Riders, cementing his image as a designated finisher. But in recent seasons, his role has steadily diminished. In IPL 2024, he faced just 113 deliveries, followed by 134 in 2025 — not the workload expected from a key middle-order player.
Even under Gautam Gambhir’s mentorship at KKR in 2024, the Aligarh left-hander was used sparingly, hinting that he may not be central to the team’s plans. That has now spilled over into the national team conversation ahead of the Asia Cup and next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Selector’s Take: A Tight Squeeze in the Batting Order
“If everyone is fit, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (as batter-keeper), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya walk straight into the top five,” a former national selector told PTI.
The possible return of Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal — both with strong IPL records — has only added to the selection headache. “People suggest names, but no one says ‘in place of whom’? Shreyas Iyer has 600 runs at a strike rate of 180, but he bats in the top four. You can add Shubman because he’s in form, but who makes way?” the selector asked.
Rinku’s Position ‘Iffy’
“You can’t disturb your top five right now. If Shubman is picked, he plays — the Test captain and IPL skipper won’t be on the bench. The only spot I see being vulnerable is Rinku’s, as he isn’t as necessary as some of the top-order batters. And mind you, we’re not even talking about Jaiswal yet,” the selector added.
Decision Day: August 19
The 15-member Asia Cup squad will be announced on Tuesday, marking India’s first competitive assignment since the Test series against England. For now, Gambhir’s approach suggests that one-dimensional middle and lower-order players have limited utility — and that leaves Rinku Singh’s selection hanging by a thread.
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