The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made a strategic last-minute change to the India A squad following Virat Kohli’s unexpected withdrawal from the first two Tests against England due to undisclosed personal reasons. In a calculated move, Rinku Singh has been added to the India A squad for the second unofficial Test against England Lions, signaling a thoughtful approach by the selection committee to keep their options open.
The announcement of Kohli’s absence, buried in an unusually lengthy statement, hinted at the selection committee’s intention to name a replacement soon. Led by former pacer Ajit Agarkar, the committee swiftly added Rinku Singh to the India A squad for the second four-day match against England Lions in Ahmedabad, scheduled to begin on January 24.
While the connection between Kohli’s absence and Rinku Singh’s inclusion may seem indirect, it becomes evident that the selectors are keen on exploring the left-hander’s capabilities in red-ball cricket. The initial squad announcement on January 19 had included Rinku Singh, but only for the third match. The subsequent change, bringing him into the squad for the second tour match, suggests a deliberate interest in evaluating his performance.
Rinku Singh, known for his impressive start in T20 internationals, boasts an average of 89 and a strike rate of 176 in 15 matches. Despite making his mark in the shorter format, the 26-year-old left-hander from Uttar Pradesh has also demonstrated his prowess in first-class cricket. With 3109 runs in 44 matches at an impressive average of 57.57, including seven centuries and 20 half-centuries, Rinku has established himself as a reliable performer.
While Rinku Singh is not positioned higher than players like Rajat Patidar and Sarfaraz Khan in the red-ball cricket hierarchy, the selectors are evidently considering his potential as a valuable addition to the squad. Rajat Patidar’s stellar performance with a score of 151 in the first match against England Lions and Sarfaraz Khan’s consistent record in domestic cricket over the past three seasons underscore their standing in the pecking order.
The likelihood of announcing Kohli’s replacement before the Test seems slim, with KL Rahul expected to take the No.4 spot, Shreyas Iyer at No.5, and KS Bharat likely to handle the gloves in India’s XI. The spin-bowling all-rounders are anticipated to follow. The announcement of a replacement is more likely to occur after the first Test, with the India A vs England Lions four-day match, beginning a day before the India-England Test, playing a pivotal role in influencing the decision.
Examining the India ‘A’ squad for the upcoming matches, Abhimanyu Easwaran leads the team as captain, accompanied by players like Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Sarfaraz Khan, Tilak Varma, Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Sourabh Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav, Akash Deep, Yash Dayal, and, notably, Rinku Singh.
In the third multi-day match, the squad remains consistent with some adjustments, featuring Abhimanyu Easwaran, Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Kumar Kushagra, Washington Sundar, Shams Mulani, Arshdeep Singh, Tushar Deshpande, Vidwath Kaverappa, Upendra Yadav, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal.
As cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the unfolding events, the addition of Rinku Singh to the India A squad reflects a strategic move by the BCCI to explore talent and maintain flexibility in the wake of Virat Kohli’s absence from the initial Tests against England. The coming matches will provide a platform for players to showcase their skills and stake their claim in the competitive world of Indian cricket.
Rinku Singh’s inclusion in the India A squad not only reflects the selectors’ foresight but also offers the talented left-hander an opportunity to prove his mettle in red-ball cricket. As cricket fans anticipate the unfolding drama, the dynamic scenarios in both the India A and senior teams add an intriguing layer to the upcoming matches.