Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has come out in strong support of the national selection committee's controversial decision to drop young batter Rinku Singh from the T20I squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. The move, which has sparked debate among fans, was necessitated by the return of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya from injury.
The Selection Dilemma: Who Makes Way?
Kaif, speaking on his YouTube channel, presented a straightforward logic behind the tough call. He emphasised that with Hardik Pandya returning to the fold after recovering from a quadriceps injury sustained during the Asia Cup in September, the selectors had a very limited pool of players to omit. "There is no one you could have removed with Hardik coming back," Kaif stated, defending the panel's choice.
He elaborated on the composition of the squad, pointing out that wicketkeeper-batters Sanju Samson and Jitesh Sharma have solidified their places. Furthermore, the bowling unit is performing well, and the team is packed with all-rounders. "Even in the Asia Cup, Rinku did not play all the games. He was not in your XI anyway," Kaif reminded viewers, suggesting the left-hander was not a guaranteed starter.
A Future Star in the Making
While acknowledging that Rinku Singh might feel the decision is unfair, Kaif expressed full solidarity with the selectors. "There was only one player who could have made way for Hardik to come in, and that was Rinku. There is no other reason," he explained. However, Kaif was quick to shower immense praise on the 26-year-old, making a bold prediction about his international career.
"Rinku's time will come. Take it from me, he will be an all-format player for India in the future," Kaif asserted with confidence. "You will see him playing all formats after two years." This endorsement highlights the high regard in which the explosive finisher is held within cricketing circles, despite his current omission.
Pandya's Return and Series Schedule
The Indian team has largely retained the squad that found success in the T20I series against Australia. Hardik Pandya's return marks the end of a two-month injury layoff. His last appearance for India was in the victorious Asia Cup final against Pakistan. Pandya recently showcased his match fitness by powering Baroda to a win in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, smashing an unbeaten 77 off just 42 balls against Punjab.
The five-match T20I series against South Africa is set to begin on December 9 in Cuttack. The action will then move to New Chandigarh on December 11, followed by matches in Dharamsala on December 14 and Lucknow on December 17. The series finale will be played in Ahmedabad on December 19.
Kaif's analysis provides a pragmatic view of the selection process, balancing the immediate needs of team balance with a firm belief in Rinku Singh's long-term destiny as a mainstay of the Indian batting lineup across all formats of the game.
