Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh praised the stellar performances of young batter Rinku Singh in the short format, and labelled him as the best left-handed batter in India currently, highlighting similarities in their playing styles.
In recent T20Is, the Indian team has introduced various left-handers into the lineup. In the first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali on January 11, Rinku Singh, Tilak Varma, and Shivam Dube were part of India's top six, contributing to a six-wicket victory of India.
After an outstanding IPL 2023 season, the 26-year-old continued to display exceptional batting form for Team India in international cricket. The left-handed batter has amassed 278 runs in nine innings, boasting an impressive average of 69.50 and a remarkable strike rate of 180.52.
In a recent interview, Yuvraj highlights Rinku’s capacity to make decisive choices in high-pressure situations. He conveyed belief in Rinku's potential to emerge as a match-winner and a dependable finisher when placed at the number five or six position.
“He’s probably the best left-hander in the Indian squad right now. He reminds me of myself – he knows when to attack when to rotate strike, and he’s incredibly smart under pressure,” Yuvraj told The Telegraph.
“He can win us matches. I don’t want to put pressure on him, but I truly believe he has the skill to do what I used to – to be the finisher who delivers at No.5 or 6,” the former all-rounder added.
The 42-year-old cricketer accumulated nearly 12,000 international runs, including 17 centuries, in his illustrious career. The left-handed batter played a crucial role in India's triumphant 2011 ODI World Cup campaign, earning him the ‘Player of the Tournament’ accolade. He also made significant contributions to India's win in the first T20 World Cup in 2007.
Shubman Gill made a promising start in the first T20I but failed to capitalise, getting dismissed after scoring 23 runs. With Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal available for selection in the second match in Indore, Gill's position in the playing XI seems to be at risk.
Yuvraj extended guidance to the rising talent Shubman Gill, recognising his achievements in limited-overs cricket. The 42-year-old underscored the significance of excelling across all formats to establish oneself among the best in the world.
“Shubman needs to work harder in Test cricket. If you want to be the best in the world, you have to conquer all formats,” Yuvraj stated.
The batter has faced challenges in the longer format of the game, delivering below-par performances in the recent Test series against South Africa with only 74 runs in four innings. Overall, he has accumulated 1040 runs in 20 Tests, maintaining a disappointing average of 30.59.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the team aims to clinch a series victory as they face the Afghanistan team in the second T20I match at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 14.
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