Rinku Singh has once again missed out on India’s T20I squad, and former India batter Wasim Jaffer has questioned the decision.
Rinku was part of India’s 2026 T20 World Cup winning team, but the selectors have not included him for the upcoming three match T20I series against Afghanistan. The series starts on September 13 in Delhi.
The decision comes despite Rinku Singh having a good run in recent cricket. Rinku’s numbers make his exclusion interesting
Rinku scored 295 runs in IPL 2026 at an average of 59 and a strike rate of 148.98. He also performed strongly in the Uttar Pradesh T20 League, where he made 169 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 219.48.
His recent form continued in the Duleep Trophy as well. Rinku has scored 80 runs in two innings, including a half century.
Jaffer feels those performances should have been enough to keep Rinku in the India discussion.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Jaffer said Rinku had done little wrong and questioned why he had been left out.
He has played very well in the IPL, and even recently, whether you talk about the Uttar Pradesh Premier League or the Duleep Trophy, Jaffer said.
He added that Rinku’s exclusion feels difficult to understand because he has performed whenever he has received an opportunity.
Rinku’s biggest strength is his ability to bat in the middle and finish an innings. India currently have several options in the batting department, which makes competition for places difficult.
Rinku’s recent numbers have again raised the question of whether he deserves a place in the T20I setup.
In 35 T20I innings, Rinku has scored 702 runs at an average of 36.94 and a strike rate of 156.34.
Jaffer also accepted that when senior players return from injuries, someone has to make way. But he believes Rinku should not necessarily be the player missing out.
The Afghanistan series could therefore have been another chance for Rinku to show that he can be a regular part of India’s T20I plans.
Rinku is not the only player Jaffer feels has been unlucky. Kuldeep Yadav has also been left out of the Afghanistan T20I squad, despite having a strong record in the format.
The left arm wrist spinner has taken 95 wickets in 54 T20Is at an average of 13.74 and an economy rate of 6.95.
Jaffer believes Kuldeep has also gone out of favour without a clear reason. I feel he has gone out of favour for no reason, so I feel bad for him Jaffer said.
The selectors have gone with a different combination for the Afghanistan series, leaving both Rinku and Kuldeep outside the squad.
For Rinku, the issue is particularly interesting because his recent domestic and IPL numbers have been strong.
The question now is simple if consistent performances are not enough, what does Rinku Singh need to do to get back into Team India’s T20I XI?
