Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan believes that even though Rinku Singh's situation is "unfortunate", it was inevitable for him to be dropped for the returning Hardik Pandya. This comes after Rinku was omitted from the Men in Blue's squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa that will commence from December 9.
Rinku's brilliant performance for Uttar Pradesh
Rinku was expected to be included in India's squad for the series after his superb performances for Uttar Pradesh at the domestic circuit. Notably, the left-hand batter scored centuries against both Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy and played a valiant knock of 65 against Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. However, he was still overlooked from the 15-member squad for the South Africa assignment.
Pathan feels that the squad chosen for the South Africa T20Is will form about 95% of India's core in the 2026 T20 World Cup that is set to begin from February 7.
"Hardik Pandya is back so Rinku Singh is out. Rinku Singh is unfortunate but this was obvious once Hardik was ready to return. This squad is 90-95% of what India will pick for the 2026 T20 World Cup," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.
Pathan predicts Hardik to play "crucial" role in T20 WC
Pathan further remarked that Hardik's role will be more crucial than the other all-rounders that India will pick for the T20 World Cup. He also reminded the team management that they will have to take some key decisions when it comes to determining the side's bowling attack for the tournament.
"India have to clear several things. Whether they go with Bumrah, Hardik and Shivam Dube along with the three spinners, Axar, Kuldeep and Varun Chakravarthy. But I believe Hardik's role will be the most crucial for India's progress in T20s and in the World cup. Him and one other finisher playing with him, those two will be most crucial for whether India winning the trophy again or not," Pathan stated.
India's squad for T20I series vs South Africa: Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC)*, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar.
South Africa's squad for T20I series: Aiden Markram, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Tristan Stubbs.