Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer, has questioned Rinku’s removal, pointing to his strong record both at home and overseas. Chopra cited Rinku’s recent performance and first-class statistics as reasons for reconsidering the selection decision.
Rinku Singh has not been named to either of India’s teams for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, which will include five Twenty20 Internationals, five One-Day Internationals, and two Test matches. On October 6, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced the India T20I team, with Rinku glaringly missing out. The five-match Twenty20 International series begins on October 22 in Christchurch.
Aakash Chopra critiques Rinku’s approach of selection and treatment.
Rinku last played for India in a T20I match against Zimbabwe in July 2026. He was part of the side that won the 2026 T20 World Cup. Chopra underlined that, while Rinku continues to battle for selection, he has consistently produced at the international level when given the opportunity.
Rinku achieved 100 not out against Goa and 112 against Bihar in the 2026-2027 Ranji Trophy, establishing a strong case for Test selection. He scored 295 runs in 14 IPL 2026 games, with a strike rate of 148.99, including two fifties. Aakash Chopra noticed that Rinku had four hundreds in his previous six innings of domestic cricket.
Aakash Chopra expressed discontent with Rinku’s international treatment, particularly his batting position and potential. The pundit questioned the player’s post-World Cup treatment as well as the selection process’s consistency.
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Opportunities in Test cricket amid uncertainty in the middle order
Chopra expressed concerns about India’s Test middle order depth and suggested Rinku be considered for the longer format. He pointed out that, while India has quality openers in KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal or Sai Sudharsan at number three, Shubman Gill at number four, Rishabh Pant at number five, and Dhruv Jurel at number six, the seventh slot in the batting order remains debatable.