Will Rinku Singh find a place in Team India's Asia Cup T20 squad? 

Life can be fulfilling at times and can be cruel at the same place. Rinku Singh has been a prolific batsman for India in the T20 cricket whenever he has given opputunity. He has performed exceptional in India and in oversees too, but still he didn't find a place in ICC T20 World Cup 2024 played in West Indies and USA which India won after 17 years wait. 

As the Indian squad for the Asia Cup T20 is set to be announced on Tuesday, Ajit Agarkar’s selection panel faces a tricky puzzle. With multiple in-form players vying for limited spots, the focus has now shifted to one big question, will Rinku Singh make the cut?

From IPL Heroics to Selection Uncertainty

Rinku Singh became a household name with his five consecutive sixes in an IPL thriller for Kolkata Knight Riders, cementing his reputation as India’s finisher. However, since missing out on the 2024 T20 World Cup squad (as a standby), his career trajectory has slowed. In IPL 2024, he faced only 113 balls, followed by 134 in 2025, suggesting a reduced role. 

Even under Gautam Gambhir’s mentorship at KKR, Rinku’s use was limited.

Fierce Competition for Batting Slots

With Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya virtually locked in, the return of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal adds to the squeeze. Selectors may be forced to leave out one of them for squad balance, with Rinku’s position looking the most vulnerable.

Multi-Utility Players in Demand

In Gambhir’s cricketing philosophy, multi-dimensional players take precedence. Shivam Dube offers batting firepower and bowling options, while Jitesh Sharma adds wicketkeeping skills alongside his big-hitting. This reduces the need for a one-dimensional finisher like Rinku.

Crunch Time for Rinku

The Asia Cup could define Rinku’s short-term future with Team India. While his match-winning potential is undeniable, the current squad dynamics might see him edged out by players who offer more than just batting firepower.