Rinku Singh has been one of the mainstays in the Indian middle order in T20I cricket since his debut in 2023.
While predominantly batting in the lower-middle order, the southpaw has accumulated 546 runs at a healthy average of 42 and a strike rate of 161.06.
Ahead of India's Asia Cup 2025 squad selection on August 19, there are rumours that Rinku might lose his spot in the Indian squad. He is expected to be replaced by Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer or Washington Sundar.
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Amid chatter over team selection of an all-rounder over him, Rinku used the Uttar Pradesh T20 League opener to display his bowling skills despite primarily being known as a batter.
WATCH: Captain Rinku Singh bowls in the powerplay during Uttar Pradesh T20 League
The incident happened in the second innings of the match between Meerut Mevericks and Kanpur Superstars. Rinku's team Meerut were defending 225 runs to seal their first match of the season.
While Rinku didn't get a chance to bat, he came on to bowl during the fourth over in the powerplay.
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On the first ball of the spell, the KKR star bowled a short of good length delivery to Adarsh Singh, who gave himself room to cut it towards the point region. However, the ball kept straight and crashed on to the off stump, reducing Kanpur to 9/2.
The Aggressive Rinku singh 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/4MBH7UzMeh
— Ashish Shrivastava (@ashishayush1177) August 17, 2025
The Mavericks won the match by 86 runs, in which he bowled 2 overs for 18 runs, picking the solitary wicket. Previously, he has also shown his bowling ability in India colours during the 2024 tour of Sri Lanka, when he scalped 2/3 in a single over,
Considering the spin-friendly UAE conditions, it would be interesting to see if India opts for Washington Sundar over Rinku on Tuesday.
While both are southpaws, Rinku offers power-hitting and more reliability as a finisher. Sundar on the other hand, is a quality off-spinner but is still developing his power game to bat in the lower order.
READ MORE: Gill, Siraj likely to miss Asia Cup squad
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against the hosts, UAE, on September 10 in Dubai. They will then face Pakistan on September 14, followed by their final group stage clash against Oman on September 19.