“Cricketing Ability Over Likability On Instagram”: BCCI Slammed Over Rinku Singh T20 World Cup Snub

CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress / Bhopal: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Rinku Singh’s omission from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad has seen many question marks being raised over the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee. Rinku, who has hardly put a foot wrong since making his India debut last year, paid the price of the Impact Substitute Rule in the Indian Premier League. Seeing Rinku being overlooked for the 15-man roster, former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu lambasted BCCI selectors over the decision, saying they should prefer a player’s cricketing ability over another’s likability on Instagram.

In his scathing criticism of the selection committee, Rayudu wrote: “Rinku Singh’s omission clearly indicates stats rule over cricketing sense.. who in this selected Indian has been walking out in the 16th and 17th over in a t20 game in the last 2 years and playing fluently with a high strike rate and can win a game except for Ravindra Jadeja.. he is a big miss.. quality should come before quantity and most importantly cricketing ability should come before likability on Instagram.”

Though not part of the 15-man squad, Rinku was included as a reserve player alongside Shubman Gill, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.

Rayudu isn’t the only one who was unimpressed with Rinku’s absence. Even former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh stated that Rinku should have been included in the squad as he possess the ability to change the complexion of the game on his own.

“I feel Rinku Singh should have been included in the team, a player who has the potential to change the game on his own and has not been included in the team is Rinku,” Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel.

Rinku made his Team India debut last year, owing to an exemplary IPL form. He struck 474 runs in 14 matches at an impressive strike rate of 149.53 and at a batting average of 59.25.

However, this season, he has kept his strike rate high but has struggled to muster up runs. In nine matches, the left-handed batter has scored 123 runs at an average of 20.50.