SA vs IND: KL Rahul backs Rinku Singh to make ODI debut in South Africa series

Rinku Singh will get his opportunity in the ODI series vs South Africa, said India captain KL Rahul ahead of the 1st ODI match in Johannesburg. KL Rahul backed the player to make an ODI debut in the 3-match series, stating that the left-hander’s batting has been a refreshing watch.

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Rinku has been sensational since making his T20I debut in the Asian Games 2023, and even scored his maiden T20I half-century in the recently concluded series vs South Africa. The left-hander has executed his finisher’s role to perfection and even showed incredible maturity to arrest a mini-collapse in the 2nd T20I vs SA in Gqeberha.

Speaking about the player, Rahul said that Rinku’s batting has been incredible to watch and that he had a word with the batter about the same.

“He (Rinku Singh) has shown what a really good player he is. Watching him in the IPL, we all knew that he’s very skilled. But what’s been really good is the temperament he has shown in the T20I series and the game awareness and calmness that he has shown under pressure. That has been very refreshing for me to see on television,” Rahul said in the pre-match press conference in Johannesburg.

“I just spoke to him about that as well. He has performed really well across formats in first-class cricket. So, yes, he will get his opportunity even in the ODI series,” he further added.

India have brought in a young squad to the ODI series due to the absence of four senior players. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah are not playing the 3-match ODI series in South Africa and will join the team ahead of the Test series. India are coming into the ODI series after a 1-1 draw in the T20Is.