India’s T20 World Cup campaign has taken an emotional turn as Rinku Singh has left the team camp due to a personal emergency, casting uncertainty over his availability for the crucial Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe on Thursday in Chennai.
The left-handed batter had travelled with the squad to Chennai but did not attend India’s practice session at the Chepauk. According to a report, Rinku’s father Khanchand Singh is critically ill and on ventilator support at a hospital in Greater Noida. It remains unclear when he will rejoin the team.
On the field, the Indian team is under immense pressure. After a crushing 76-run defeat to South Africa in Ahmedabad, their net run-rate (NRR) has suffered badly. To stay in contention for the semi-finals, India must win their remaining Super 8 matches against Zimbabwe and West Indies. Even two victories might not guarantee qualification if other results do not go their way.
Rinku Singh, who bats in the lower middle-order, has scored 18 runs in four innings in the ongoing tournament, including a duck against South Africa. Despite a quiet World Cup so far, his overall T20I record remains impressive – 665 runs from 45 matches at a strike rate of 155.73.
With West Indies dominating Zimbabwe in their recent encounter, India’s path ahead looks anything but easy. As the defending champions fight to stay alive in the tournament, they must now do so while one of their own faces a deeply personal battle off the field.
We hope Rinku Singh’s father recovers soon and the cricketer is able to join the team as well.
