Asia Cup: Rinku Singh’s Place Uncertain as Selectors Mull Tough Choices

The Indian squad for the Asia Cup T20, to be announced on Tuesday, is set to pose a selection headache for Ajit Agarkar and his panel, with several tough calls looming.

A major talking point remains the role of Test skipper Shubman Gill, but equally under scrutiny is the position of finisher Rinku Singh in the 15-member squad.

Rinku shot to fame when he smashed five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal in an IPL match for Kolkata Knight Riders, cementing his reputation as a designated finisher. However, since missing out on the T20 World Cup squad (only named standby), his graph has dipped. A quiet 2024 IPL (113 balls faced) followed by another low-key 2025 season (134 balls) raised doubts about his role. Even at KKR, under mentor Gautam Gambhir, he was sparingly used, suggesting limited faith in his finishing impact.

With competition for batting slots intensifying, Rinku is no longer an automatic choice. For the Asia Cup, Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (as batter-keeper), Tilak Varma, skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya look undroppable in the top five. Add Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, both with strong IPL records, and the squeeze on middle-order options becomes obvious.

A former selector explained the dilemma: “Everyone says pick Shubman, but in place of whom? You can’t disturb the current top five. If Gill comes in, he won’t sit out either. That puts Rinku’s spot under real threat.”

Even if Rinku misses out, the finisher’s role could still be filled by Shivam Dube (if fit) or Jitesh Sharma, both offering multi-dimensional skills. Jitesh can keep wickets, while Dube provides an extra bowling option. In Gambhir’s philosophy, one-dimensional middle-order batters like Rinku may find themselves surplus to requirements.

All eyes now are on Tuesday’s squad announcement — will Rinku hold his place, or will the selectors move on?