Mumbai, Jan 20: India's new rescue-man in T20 format Rinku Singh seems to be firing in all cylinders.
His cool approach, steady progress, game-finishing abilities, big hitting skill and more importantly his positive vibes have earned him lot of admiration and laurels.
The team management, selectors and fans perhaps have been waiting for someone like Rinku for last couple of years.
In the white-ball format, Rinku appears to be someone in the mould of yester-year icons Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
He is suppose to be a match-winner like Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja, who apart from their bowling heroics, have fashioned many Indian wins with batting skills. Their contributions in the slog overs are definitely laudable.
Rinku Singh, the diminutive powerhouse, who loves to hit big sixes and does not throw his wicket easily, despite score-board pressure more than often, too have won hearts in a span of few months.
As a result of his consistency and match-winning skills, he has been now rewarded with better red-ball opportunities too.
The latest development is, Rinku has been included in India A squad to play against England Lions.
He is set to make his India A debut in the last four-days after his stint as a reserve player with the India Test squad in South Africa.
With 43 first-class matches under his belt and an impressive average of 58.47, Rinku's anticipation builds. His Uttar Pradesh teammate, Yash Dayal, also earns a place in both squads against England Lions.
Apart from Rinku, other youngsters Tilak Varma and Arshdeep Sing get called up in the India A squad for the final two four-day encounters against the England Lions in Ahmedabad as Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a 14-member squad on Friday.
Jharkhand's Kumar Kushagra, a wicketkeeper-batsman, joins the squad alongside spare keeper Upendra Yadav, replacing KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel, who are called up for the senior side's Test matches against England. Jharkhand's Kumar Kushagra, a wicketkeeper-batsman, joins the squad alongside spare keeper Upendra Yadav, replacing KS Bharat and Dhruv Jurel, who are called up for the senior side's Test matches against England.
Abhimanyu Easwaran, the Bengal opener, continues to lead the India A side, eager to prove his mettle after missing out on the home Tests against England. The spin duo of Washington Sundar and Saurabh Kumar is set to mesmerize in the second game, with Mumbai's Shams Mulani stepping in for the final clash.
Washington's detour from Tamil Nadu's Ranji Trophy clash to fulfill India A commitments adds an intriguing twist to the narrative. The squad for the second four-dayer features a formidable lineup, including talents like B Sai Sudharsan and Sarfaraz Khan.
India A squad for second four-dayer:
Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), B Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Washington Sundar, Sourabh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav (wk), Akash Deep, Yash Dayal
India A squad for third four-dayer:
Abhimanyu Easwaran (capt), B Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra (wk), Washington Sundar, Shams Mulani, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav (wk), Akash Deep, Yash Dayal. (With IANS Support)
