Krishnamachari Srikkanth slams BCCI selection committee for excluding Rinku Singh from T20 World Cup squad

Former India opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth has lashed out at the BCCI selection committee for omitting Rinku Singh from the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in June, labeling the decision as “rubbish” and making the 26-year-old batter a “scapegoat.”

Singh, who made his T20 debut in 2023 against Ireland, has impressed with his performances, scoring 356 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 176.24. His last international appearance was against Afghanistan in January 2024, where he played a crucial unbeaten 69-run knock.

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Srikkanth expressed his disappointment with the selectors’ decision, emphasizing Singh’s match-winning abilities and consistency whenever given the opportunity to represent India.

“He has played match-winning knocks in South Africa. Remember the game against Afghanistan in which Rohit scored a hundred? India were 22 for 4; from there they scored 212. Rinku played a crucial knock. He has given his all whenever he has played for India. This is rubbish, rubbish selection! Why do you need four spinners? All of them have to go? You have made the selection to please a few people and you have made Rinku Singh a scapegoat,” Srikkanth said.

The former India captain argued that Singh deserved a place in the squad, even if it meant dropping another player like Yashasvi Jaiswal. In the final squad, India has included two wicket-keepers, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson, with Singh designated as a reserve player alongside Shubman Gill, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan.

As India gears up for their T20 World Cup campaign, Srikkanth’s criticism adds fuel to the debate surrounding the selection decisions made by the BCCI, leaving fans and experts alike questioning the rationale behind omitting a player of Singh’s caliber from the squad.