Mumbai: Everyone in India is a cricket expert and has an opinion on every debatable issue concerning the national team.
Ever since the Ajit Agarkar-headed selection committee announced the 15 players for next month’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, armchair critics have been analysing and dissecting the merits and demerits of the chosen Indian team.
The common factor among most discussions is the omission of Rinku Singh.
Why did the selectors leave out this pocket powerhouse of a left-hander who made a place in every Indian cricket lover’s heart since hitting five sixes off five balls to help Kolkata Knight Riders pull off an incredible win in last year’s IPL.
No wonder chief selector Agarkar faced the Rinku question at a press conference on Thursday addressed by him and skipper Rohit Sharma.
Agarkar was almost apologetic as he tried to explain the 26-year-old batter’s non-selection.
He admitted that Rinku’s exclusion was the “toughest” matter to discuss at the selection meeting.
“He (Rinku) has done nothing wrong… nor has Shubman Gill for that matter. It’s just the combinations. We’re not sure of the conditions we’ll get (in USA) and we wanted to have enough (bowling) options,” said Agarkar.
“It’s just unfortunate… I don’t think it’s got anything to do with Rinku. It’s not his fault that he missed out, it’s more about the 15 we felt we needed,” added Agarkar.
“He’s (Rinku) still one of the travelling substitutes… That’s how close he was, but we can only take 15,” explained Agarkar, referring to four reserve players named along with the 15. Rinku apart, the other reserves are Gill, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed.
Rinku has played 15 T20Is for India, scoring 356 runs at a strike rate of 176.23.
