Despite his outstanding accomplishments, India’s powerful batter Rinku Singh was chosen a reserve player and was left out of the main squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Fans and commentators debated this choice in great detail once it was made. Singh shared details from his chat with India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, who gave him encouraging words, after the roster was announced.
In a recent interview with News24, Rinku Singh discussed his feelings on his exclusion. He related the guidance that Rohit Sharma gave him, focusing on the importance of tenacity and the prospects that lie ahead.
“Haan woh (Rohit Sharma) aaye the samjane ki koi baat nahi, teri umar hi kya hai. World Cup aage bohot hai. Mehnat karte reh. Har do saal mein World Cup aata hai, uspe dhyaan de. Koi dikkat nahi hai, pareshan mat ho [He came to me and made me understand that it was okay; you are still very young. There will be many World Cups in the future. Keep working hard. There is a World Cup every two years, so focus on that. Don’t be disappointed],” Rinku quoted Rohit in the interview.
Rinku seems to have a more optimistic outlook on his future profession as a result of Rohit’s speech. The youthful cricket player emphasised that Rinku has the advantage of age and that further hard work and devotion will be necessary for him to succeed on the world stage.
Rinku acknowledged his respect for Virat Kohli’s assertive captaincy and his appreciation for Rohit’s leadership style despite not being a member of the starting eleven.
“I admire Rohit Sharma’s leadership. Virat Kohli is someone I also like since he is an aggressive team leader, which is really crucial. Thus, his leadership was excellent as well,” Rinku said, emphasizing the qualities he looks for in a leader.
By winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian squad put an end to their 11-year ICC trophy drought and further demonstrated the strength of Sharma’s leadership and the cohesiveness of the team. Rinku Singh’s maturity and potential as a future star in Indian cricket are highlighted by his good attitude and respect for his leaders, even though he was left out of the starting lineup.
