India's explosive batter Rinku Singh has reacted for the first time after securing a spot in India's squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 which is set to start from September 9. Rinku Singh is leaving no stone unturned to prepare for his first multi-nation tournament. He is determined to seize this opportunity after narrowly missing out on the T20 World Cup last year.
Rinku Singh finally reacts to his Asia Cup selection
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on September 19 announced India's 15-member Asia Cup 2025 squad which will be led by Suryakumar Yadav.
Rinku has been working hard in recent weeks to prepare for the showpiece tournament. The 26-year-old scored two half-centuries in practice matches for the Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League, which has boosted his confidence ahead of the continental tournament. While reacting to his Asia Cup selection, Rinku has vowed to give his best if he gets a chance to feature in India's playing XI in the Asia Cup 2025.
“This is the first time that I've got the opportunity to play in a multinational tournament. Last year, I missed out on the T20 World Cup. If I am given the chance to play in the eleven, I will give my best,” Rinku said as quoted by Times of India.
There has been a lot of talk around Rinku's role in Team India, but the Uttar Pradesh cricketer has clarified that he doesn't consider himself just a finisher. Rinku's rise to fame began during the 2023 IPL season, which he described as the best phase of his career. Batting at number five, he played numerous match-winning innings and has continued that success on the international stage, already notching up three half-centuries for India in the same position.
“I have no inhibitions about batting in any position,” Rinku added.
The star southpaw has also made it clear that not just with the bat, he is also ready to chip in with the ball, as he believes it benefits the team.
“Cricket has become fast-paced, and selectors believe that if a player has both bowling and batting skills, it benefits the team. All-rounders are given preference in the team. I bowl quite a bit in the domestic circuit and have taken many wickets. I have also taken wickets internationally. I have been bowling for a while, though not as much, but now, I am prepared for it,” he further stated.
Rinku also exuded his confidence on India's chances of winning the trophy.
“We are confident that we will win the tournament. Winning the Asia Cup will be as good for me as for anyone else," he concluded.
Talking about Rinku's track record in T20Is, he has featured in 33 matches and has amassed 546 runs riding on three half-centuries, maintaining an impressive average of 46 and a blistering strike rate of 161.
India’s squad for Asia Cup:
Surya Kumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh
Standby players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel