Rinku Singh’s fame continues to grow. In the second T20I against South Africa, the middle-order batsman for India put up another impressive performance, smashing an unbeaten 68 off 39 balls. Along with scores of 46, 31*, 22*, 37*, and 38* after making his India debut back in August, this was Rinku’s first T20I fifty. The left-handed batter Rinku proved to the world on Tuesday night that he is more than simply an explosive option in death overs, despite his reputation as India’s next great finisher owing to his strength and six-hitting skills.
Heading out to bat following the wicket of Tilak Varma in the sixth over. Rinku started quickly, hitting a straight drive for four with the first ball itself, but Suryakumar Yadav calmed down as he discovered his range. After being silent for the next four overs, Rinku started to show off his skills in the 11th over, hitting back-to-back boundaries off Marco Jansen. Rinku unlocked beast mode after three overs. Rinku reached his fifty off thirty balls after he was hit three fours in the 13th over by Andile Phehlukwayo and another three off Lizaad Williams.
Once again, Rinku changed gears to play the next four overs without a boundary, but when there were only two remaining, he lost it. Along the way, Rinku broke the glass panel of the media box at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha with back-to-back sixes off Aiden Markram, taking India to 180. Rinku delivered a classic first six, with his bat swinging freely and the ball sailing over cow corner. The glass was severely cracked by the second blow, which was much more direct. The rain ended the Indian innings at 180/7, and as it happened, it was Rinku’s final scoring shot.
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Though South Africa quickly overcame Rinku’s failed attempt to reach their revised target of 152 in 15 overs and take a 1-0 lead in the series, Rinku was once again India’s most important lesson. Steyn was so impressed by Rinku’s temperamental performance that he readily acknowledged seeing similarities between the India youngster’s “mature” hitting and the qualities of a legendary South African player and his old friend.
