Rinku Singh’s potential to replace Virat Kohli in the Indian lineup for the opening two Test matches against England has been questioned by Aakash Chopra.
The cricket showdown between India and England includes five-Test matches. The first clash gets underway in Hyderabad from Thursday, January 25. Virat Kohli is stepping back from the opening two Tests due to personal matters. We anticipate the informers to announce his substitute shortly.
Chopra mentioned Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal as two of the several candidates to succeed Kohli in a video that he posted on his YouTube channel. He went on to wonder if Rinku Singh might be a better choice, stating:
“What about Rinku Singh? He was kept with the team in South Africa. He is not a one-trick pony. It’s not that he is just a white-ball player. It’s not that he is just a T20 player. Check his first-class numbers and he is going back and playing first-class cricket whenever he gets a chance.”
Aakash Chopra
The former India opener emphasized that the hitter from Uttar Pradesh has a stellar record in first-class cricket and never chooses to withdraw from the competition. He clarified:
“It’s not that he is cutting corners. He doesn’t make himself unavailable because he is in the T20 team and who is going to play him Test matches. He has an average of over 50 and has been playing for many years. So why not Rinku Singh? Very tempting option.”
Aakash Chopra
In 44 first-class games, Rinku has scored 3109 runs at an average of 57.57. He has played 13 international white-ball innings and has looked at ease against both pace and spin.
Aakash Chopra backs Cheteshwar Pujara’s Test credentials for Kohli’s replacement
Another batter who may take Virat Kohli’s position is Cheteshwar Pujara, according to Aakash Chopra, who stated:
“Cheteshwar Pujara – only four Indians have scored more than 20000 first-class runs. He scored a double century recently. Form is with him and he has a proven Test record. He works hard by playing county cricket as well. He is your sincere cricketer. In fact, I say he is Indian cricket’s monk.”
Aakash Chopra
The respected analyst believes that the Indian selectors have begun to consider options other than the seasoned batter.
“So you can pick him. However, I feel India are not looking in that direction. They have already started looking in a different direction. Cheteshwar Pujara is a legit option but are the Indian selectors looking at him as an option at all? That’s the question we need to ask and wonder.”
Aakash Chopra
Cheteshwar Pujara has accumulated 7195 runs, with a 43.6 average, across 103 Tests. In 260 first-class matches, this Saurashtra player’s total runs are 20013, with an average of 51.98.