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Khanchandra Singh, the father of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricketer Rinku Singh, shared his son’s initial response to his mother following Rinku’s omission from the India squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.
Rinku Singh’s squad exclusion
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the 15-member squad, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, for the upcoming showpiece event scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) from June 1. Alongside renowned players, the squad featured star players from Indian Premier League (IPL) like Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube and Yuzvendra Chahal. However, Rinku’s name was notably absent from the roster.
Nevertheless, despite being named in the traveling reserves alongside Shubman Gill and Khaleel Ahmed, the 26-year-old could still potentially be drafted into the main squad in case of injuries or withdrawals.
Also READ: Sunil Gavaskar reveals the key reason behind Rinku Singh omission from India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad
Heartbroken response
In an interview with News24, Rinku’s father disclosed his son’s disappointment upon learning that he had not been selected for the main squad of the T20 World Cup. Khanchandra shared that they had purchased sweets and crackers in anticipation of Rinku’s inclusion in the squad.
“There was hope, and that is why there is a bit of sadness. We brought sweets and crackers to celebrate; we thought Rinku would play in the first eleven. He is heartbroken. He spoke to his mother and told her that he was not picked in the 11 or 15. But he also said that he would be travelling with the team,” Khanchandra said.
A heartbreaking video. 💔
Rinku Singh's father talking about the exclusion of Rinku from the main squad. pic.twitter.com/Q2MuBmx2rp
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 1, 2024
International debut and performance
Rinku made his international debut for Team India in a T20I match against Ireland in August 2023. In T20Is, Rinku has accumulated 356 runs, including two half-centuries, boasting an impressive average of 89 and a staggering strike rate of 176.23 across 15 matches. Nonetheless, this performance wasn’t sufficient for him to secure a spot in the India squad for the T20 World Cup.
In IPL 2024, Rinku has amassed 127 runs at an average of 20.50 and a strike rate of 150 in nine matches played thus far. Rinku is set to return to action when KKR will face Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday (May 3).
