Saba Karim & Rinku Singh. (Photo Source:MANJUNATH KIRAN/AFP, Seb Daly/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Rinku Singh’s stocks have risen substantially ever since this year’s Indian Premier League. The Southpaw impressed fans as well as experts with his ability to finish matches with utmost composure in the 10-team tournament. He was deservingly named in India’s squad for the three-match T20I series in Ireland. The ‘Men in Blue’ walked away with a 2-0 series win under the leadership of the fit-again, Jasprit Bumrah.
Rinku made his international debut in the first game in Dublin. However, he didn’t get to bat as India won by two runs via the Duckworth Louis (DLS) method. His first innings for India came in the second T20I at the same venue.
Coming into bat at number five, the left-hander took his time initially before finishing his innings with a flourish. The 25-year-old played a decisive knock of 38 in 21 balls and helped India set a formidable target of 186. India eventually won the match by 33 runs. Consequently, Rinku Singh was named as the Player of the Match.
In the same vein, the former Indian wicketkeeper, Saba Karim, noted that Rinku didn’t have to change his natural game to find success against Ireland and also lauded the youngster for not succumbing to the pressure that comes with playing for the country.
“Rinku Singh’s transition from a domestic cricketer to an international cricketer – that for me is the find of this tour. Lots of positives here. Top of my mind it has to be Rinku Singh – the way he has been able to understand the conditions and the demands of the international game,” Karim said on Jio Cinema after the end of the 3rd T20I match.
Good to see not to see him flustered and that is a huge positive for me: Karim
Furthermore, Saba Karim also pointed out the fact that the flamboyant batter Rinku Singh not only performed well in the IPL but also showed consistency in the domestic circuit as well. Furthermore, he lauded the southpaw for sticking to his basics and style of play and did not change his natural game under the pressure of representing India at the highest level. Hence, this ability to soak in the pressure and play freely with an uncluttered mind impressed Karim immensely.
“The way he was able to play such a stable innings, that is the way that he has played not only in IPL but also in domestic matches. Good to see that he did not need to change his game plan at all. Good to see not to see him flustered. And that is a huge positive for me,” Saba concluded.
Rinku Singh will represent India in the upcoming Asian Games, in Hangzhou, China. Notably the mega event is slated to take place in the months of September and October, later this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to field a second-string team in the multi-nation event as it clashes with the ODI World Cup.