Navjot Singh Sidhu and MS Dhoni | Image: Star Sports/BCCI
Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu in his recent comments criticizing the exclusion of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batsman Rinku Singh from the main squad of the Indian team for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. It raised eyebrows and caused controversy. Rinku Singh has been demoted to the reserve list after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the 15-member squad for the tournament.
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Navjot Singh Sidhu supports Rinku Singh ahead of T20 World Cup 2024
Navjot Singh Sidhu expressed disappointment over Rinku Singh's absence and tweeted, “Rinku Singh is the only finisher in Indian cricket who can fill the void left by the great Dhoni!” expressed an opposing opinion. This comparison with legendary former Indian captain MS Dhoni highlights Sidhu's belief that Singh's ability to link India is unsurpassed in the crucial role of a finisher for his team.
The selectors' decision to leave out Rinku Singh, who has been a consistent performer for KKR in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has raised questions among cricket lovers and experts alike. Many believed that adding Rinku Singh to the team, who has a knack for finishing matches and delivering results under pressure, would strengthen India's batting order, especially in the latter stages of the innings.
Navjot Singh Sidhu's comments draw attention to the importance of having a reliable finisher in the team, a role that MS Dhoni has played adeptly over the years. Dhoni's ability to remain calm under pressure and lead his team to victory in close matches won him plaudits and made him an integral part of the Indian team. Sidhu's comparison suggests that Rinku Singh also has similar qualities and could be in Dhoni's shoes in this regard.
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Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya (vc), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Abesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed