Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has stated that the Indian cricket team missed the contributions of middle-order batter Rinku Singh during their chase of 248 runs against the West Indies in the fourth T20 International.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Jaffer described Rinku as “miles ahead of everyone else” and suggested the batter could have altered the outcome of the match.
Following Shai Hope’s unbeaten century, the West Indies set a target of 248 runs. Despite a strong start from Sanju Samson, who scored 56 runs off 22 balls, India struggled to maintain a superior run rate throughout the innings. A 70-run partnership between Tilak Varma and Nitish Kumar Reddy reduced the required runs to 59 off 24 balls, but their dismissals effectively ended India’s chances. India fell 25 runs short, with Arshdeep Singh retiring hurt in the final over.
Rinku Singh has not played for India since the tour of Zimbabwe in July. His opportunities with the national team have been limited in recent times. Jaffer noted, “If you look from a batter’s perspective, Rinku is miles ahead of everyone else. He bats amazingly at number five and six, plus he is a left-hander. I feel it is very unfortunate that he is not part of this Indian team purely because he cannot bowl.” He added, “If you had Rinku in that position, you never know. He could have changed the game. He has the capacity and has won a lot of matches in franchise cricket in this manner.”
This year in T20Is, Rinku has scored 152 runs across 13 matches and ten innings at an average of 25.33 and a strike rate of 139.44, with a best score of 44 not out. He has been particularly effective batting at number five and six, accumulating 518 runs in 22 innings at an average of 43.16 and a strike rate exceeding 156, including two half-centuries.
Jaffer also commented on all-rounder Naman Dhir’s role. He cautioned that expecting Dhir to bowl four overs consistently was “too ambitious,” citing the challenges off-spinners face bowling after the powerplay without sufficient variations, especially in Indian conditions. Despite taking five wickets in four matches at an average near 22, Dhir’s economy rate has risen close to 12 following expensive spells in recent games.
“It is a bit difficult for off-spinners to bowl after the powerplay if you don’t have variety. Roston Chase does it; credit to him. If you do not have that cleverness or variation, especially in India, it becomes very difficult,” Jaffer said. He added that Dhir’s batting is critical for his place in the T20 side, noting the all-rounder has scored only 14 runs in three innings. “I feel his performance with the bat is very important for him to play T20 cricket. Unfortunately, that has not happened in the last two matches, but he has the capability to come and play a quick 25-30 cameo,” Jaffer said.
The series is now level at 2-2, with the deciding fifth T20I scheduled for October 17 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. In the fourth match, West Indies’ Shai Hope scored 102 not out off 50 balls, including four boundaries and nine sixes, while Keemo Paul claimed five wickets for 41 runs. Shimron Hetmyer contributed 33 runs off 12 balls and Sherfane Rutherford scored 49 not out off 26 balls. India’s innings included notable performances from Sanju Samson, Tilak Varma, and Nitish Kumar Reddy, but their dismissals undermined the chase.