'I'll Blame KKR, He Hardly Got to Bat This Year': Ex-India Cricketer's Blunt Remarks on Rinku Singh's World Cup Snub

Rinku Singh was named in the list of reserve players. (Photo Credits: iplt20.com)

It’s been almost a week since the announcement of India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 but the discussion about Rinku Singh’s snub seems to be unending. In a press conference explaining the team selection, chief selector Ajit Agarkar stated that the selection committee tried its best to accommodate Rinku in the list of 15 but couldn’t find a way out. Also, the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, wanted 4 spinners in the squad that ultimately reduced the spot.

While the experts have called it a balanced squad, they have also expressed their concerns about Rinku missing out. Many also believe that limited batting opportunities in IPL 2024 restricted the 26-year-old from expressing himself at will which probably impacted his selection and one of them is former India cricketer Ashok Malhotra.

Malhotra made a blunt remark on Kolkata Knight Riders, blaming the franchise for the star batter’s non-selection for the T20 World Cup. In a conversation with RevSports, he opined that the KKR management gave him limited opportunities to showcase his batting prowess, eventually leading to a dip in his form in the ongoing IPL 2024.

Stay updated with the latest from IPL 2024, including top contenders for the IPL 2024 Orange Cap and IPL 2024 Purple Cap. Explore the complete IPL 2024 Schedule, IPL 2024 Points Table and players with the Most Sixes, Most Fours and Most Fifties in IPL 2024

“I will blame KKR management. He was a hero last year. But this year, he hardly got a chance to bat. And now when they are giving him a chance he is off-colour. He lost his form. He doesn’t seem to be in good nick,” Malhotra told RevSports.

“Last year he was scoring runs but this year he is struggling. And that is because almost half the tournament is over and he has hardly got a bat. So, I would have put the blame a little bit on KKR because they didn’t give him enough chance.

“But despite of that selectors have picked him in the reserves. Although he deserved to be [in the main squad]. Because he is a guy who can bat in the late order. He can be a good finisher and we all know what he can do,” he added.

Rinku had a sensational season for KKR last year, ending the IPL 2023 as the highest-scorer for the team with 474 runs in 14 games. His consistency fast-tracked his international and became an integral part of India’s T20 side. However, he hasn’t been able to make an impact in the limited chances he has got. He has scored 148 in 11 games with a highest score of 26, striking at 146.53.