Team India squad T20 World Cup 2024: Why did BCCI snub Rinku Singh, who has T20I strike rate of 176 and average of 89, from main squad; reason revealed

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the India squad for T20 World Cup 2024 on April 30 (Tuesday). The BCCI named a power-packed 15-member squad that will be led by charismatic leader Rohit Sharma in the ICC tournament, scheduled to begin on June 1. Hardik Pandya was given the vice-captaincy for the Indian team while Virat Kohli also featured in the squad that will aim to end India's ICC trophy drought that has extended to 11 years and counting. Apart from naming the 15-member squad, the BCCI also named four players in traveling reserves.

India squad for T20 World Cup 2024

Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya (VC), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Reserves - Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan.

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Since the time the Indian squad was announced by the BCCI, social media has exploded with angry fans questioning the board's decision to snub Rinku Singh from the main 15-member squad.

Why was Rinku Singh snubbed from T20 World Cup squad?

In his brief stint in the international arena, Rinku Singh has played several match-winning and impactful knocks. His strike rate of 176.23 and average of 89 after playing 11 innings in T20Is reflects just how dominant the left-handed batter has been on the biggest stage. Rinku amassed 356 runs for India in T20Is and smashed 31 fours and 20 sixes. He emerged as India's best finisher in 11 innings that he got the chance to bat. Yet, Rinku was snubbed from India's 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup.

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The Indian selectors showed trust in Shivam Dube instead of Rinku Singh. Dube got the nod ahead of Rinku because of his scintillating form in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Apart from Dube form, the other major reason why the selectors looked beyond Rinku was because of the batter's lack of batting time in the IPL 2024.

Rinku hasn't got many chances to bat for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) this season. In 9 matches, Rinku has batted for just 82 balls and scored 123 runs at a strike rate of 150. On the contrary, Dube has been in sizzling touch with the bat for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The explosive and muscular left-handed batter has faced 203 balls, scoring 350 runs at a stupendous strike rate of 172.41. Dube has also notched three half-centuries while his ability to tonk the ball into the stands has been a site to behold. Dube has smashed 26 sixes in just 9 games this season so far. In his last 25 IPL matches, Dube has unleashed 61 sixes.

Thus, it was the power of Dube that dashed Rinku's hopes of wearing the Team India thread in the 2024 T20 World Cup. 

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