Shivam Dube to push Rinku Singh out of Playing XI once again in 1st IND vs SL T20I?

We are just two days away from witnessing a new chapter add to India’s T20I story. The Rohit Sharma-Virat Kohli era is a thing of past now as a team full of potential takes on the Sri Lankan challenge. Under the helm of Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir, the excitement among Indian fans is ‘SKY’ high.

Apart from the wicket-keeping conundrum, the management will have another choice to make and it will be another tussle between Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube. Who between the two will fit in to don the finishing role in the ‘Gautam Gambhir’ era?

Dube vs Rinku: From T20 WC to IND vs SL

It was only three months ago when an almost entire cricketing fraternity questioned BCCI’s decision to leave out Rinku Singh from the Indian T20 World Cup 2024 squad. This was, despite Rinku averaging 89 at a strike rate of 143. The Rohit Sharma-led instead went for Dube, for his all-round abilities and his ability to bash spinners at will. For a large part, the move didn’t pay dividends as his strike rate didn’t cross 143 in any of his first 7 innings. However, in the summit clash, he played a handy cameo of 27 runs in 16 balls that proved vital in the end.

For Rinku, he was, sort of, given a consolation prize by granting him chance in the Zimbabwe series, where he made 60 runs at a stellar strike rate of 176.47. He was slotted in as a designated finisher, and was dismissed just once in four innings.

Gambhir’s preference on Rinku?

While Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya’s places are fixed in the middle-order, India do need a finisher in the upcoming T20Is. In this case, its up to the fight between Rinku and Dube. Dube’s ability to sneak in some overs is his extra. The CSK southpaw is a pure basher, who likes to assert his dominance, especially against spinners. Rinku, meanwhile, has showcase that he has a top-notch game in getting those required cameos at the end. This further implies by his T20I career average and strike rate of 83.2 and strike rate of 176.27 after 20 matches.

Dube, meanwhile, has also done much wrong but his numbers (Av. 31.07 and SR 136.79) are nowhere near to Rinku’s. Given Rinku’s exceptional batting numbers and recent form which was showcased against Zimbabwe, he should be the natural choice for that number 5/6 role. One thing that would be interesting is that Gambhir has already worked with Rinku at KKR earlier this year. So, the new India head coach knows Rinku from close quarters. This might automatically edge the KKR southpaw over Dube, who hasn’t been as fluent as he was during the IPL 2024.

Team India Predicted Playing XI for 1st T20I vs SL

1. Shubman Gill
2. Yashasvi Jaiswal
3. Rishabh Pant (WK)
4. Suryakumar Yadav (C)
5. Rinku Singh
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Axar Patel
8. Washington Sundar
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Ravi Bishnoi
11. Mohammed Siraj