Sanjay Manjrekar feels Team India’s middle-order hitter Rinku Singh would be a key part in the Men in Blue’s lineup as they prepare for the forthcoming T20 World Cup in 2024.
Rinku astonished many with his batting efforts in the second T20I of the present three-match series between India and South Africa on Tuesday, December 12 at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The southpaw reached his first T20I half-century, scoring 68 runs off 39 balls.
Manjrekar stated that Rinku’s knock demonstrates his ability to bat in many situations. When India were 55/3, the left-handed hitter walked out to bat.
He and Suryakumar Yadav put on an important 70-run stand for the fourth wicket, helping the team recover from a poor start. Manjrekar praised Rinku’s batsmanship, telling ESPNcricinfo:
“Rinku Singh is in my full strength playing XI. He has performed consistently in the IPL and has good first-class numbers as well. It is very difficult to score and make an impact consistently at that position, but he has done it for India whenever he has had an opportunity. His strike rate was over 170, but he hit nine fours and just one six, which shows he can bat in different gears.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
Rinku Singh’s steady achievements in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have demonstrated his abilities as a finisher. With a great strike rate of 183.7, he has amassed 248 runs from seven innings in his debut international career.
Sanjay Manjrekar credits conditions for South Africa’s DLS win over India in 2nd T20I
When rain delayed play in the second T20I, India were 180/7 after 19.3 overs, prompting South Africa to be set a revised target of 152 in 15 overs using the DLS system.
The Proteas eventually won by five wickets after chasing the score in 13.5 overs. With a quick-fire 49, opener Reeza Hendricks was the highest performer at the plate.
In response to India’s loss, Sanjay Manjrekar stated:
“Just like in the World Cup final between India and Australia, the conditions helped the chasing team here as well. The pitch changed because of the weather. India batted really well, scoring 180 runs on a ground where the par score is around 160. Maybe things changed after the interruption.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
India got off to a shaky start with the bat, with both openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal going for ducks. Despite their failure, Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma did not try to anchor the innings and instead proceeded to play aggressive cricket, according to Manjrekar.
“India lost two wickets very early, and even the third wicket fell soon after, but despite that, the batters scored boundaries and sixes regularly. If this was our old T20I team, someone would have played the anchor’s role after an early wicket. However, there is no anchor in this team, and everyone plays their shots regularly.”
Sanjay Manjrekar
The score in the three-game series is 1-0, with South Africa in the lead. The last game happens on Thursday, December 14. It’s at the New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.