Rinku Singh puts his calmness at final overs down to role clarity

India have been blessed with a plethora of talent at the top of the order. But over the years, it is that middle-order and lower middle-order that has taken a consistent hit. That is exactly where Rinku Singh’s consistency has come at the most opportune time for the national team, which has been looking to fill that void that has been vacant for a long time. 

Rinku has played just six T20Is thus far, and in that limited opportunity, the southpaw has already shown the world what he is capable of. In just four innings, the left-hander has scored 128 runs, averaging 128 while striking at 216.94. His nine-ball 31 ultimately proved to be the biggest differentiator as India got to 235/4 in the second T20I against Australia in Thiruvananthapuram. 

“I bat in this number a lot so I am calm knowing this position. I like to play each ball according to where it lands. I try to notice whether its a slower ball or fast ball, and I respond accordingly,” Rinku said in the post-match presentation. 

In his knock on Sunday (November 26), the left-hander took a particular liking to Sean Abbott’s bowling, smacking 24 runs off the all-rounder’s over. When asked about his preparation, the Uttar Pradesh batter put it down to role clarity, which has helped him maintain a level of calmness at the crease. 

“I am enjoying with everyone. Feeling good. Finishing only. I know I'll get 5-6 overs sometimes or maybe 2 overs sometimes. That's exactly how I practice. As if I'm batting in the last five. That's what VVS sir has also told me to play in the nets," he had to add. 

India’s skipper Suryakumar Yadav was left impressed with Rinku’s development and hinted that he saw a ‘special someone’ from India’s past in the left-hander’s calm and composed stay at the crease. 

“I saw Rinku came in to bat in the last game, the composure he showed was brilliant. It reminded me of someone(laughs). Everyone knows the answer(laughs again),” Suryakumar said in the post-match presentation. 

However, much of the damage was done earlier in the innings when fellow southpaw Yashasvi Jaiswal launched an assault on the Australian bowling unit. Jaiswal scored a half-century within the powerplay, becoming the first Indian to cross the 50-run mark individually in the powerplay, with 11 boundaries, nine fours and two sixes. 

“It was really special for me. I was trying to play all my shots. Was trying to be fearless. I was sure of my decisions. I have been told by Surya bhai and VVS sir to go and play freely,” Jaiswal said in the post-match presentation. 

“I have been asked to express myself. For me, what I think I can develop and not think about anything else,” he had to add. 

With a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, India head to Guwahati with an aim of taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.