First, Khanchandra Singh, his father, expressed his feelings in public. Shortly afterward, Irfan Pathan made an exclusive statement on Star Sports Press Room. In an otherwise lacklustre season for his team, Rinku amassed 474 runs in 14 matches during his IPL 2023 campaign with the Kolkata Knight Riders, as the former Indian all-rounder reminisced. Referring back to his nascent Twenty20 international career, in which he has already participated in 15 Twenty20 matches and amassed 356 runs in 11 innings with a scorching strike rate of 176.23 and an amazing average of 89, Irfan said that Rinku’s exclusion from the team will be deeply disheartening.
Many shocks have emerged in the 15-man squad selection process as teams have released their preliminary picks. Two examples of such surprises are the exclusion of young gun Jake Fraser-McGurk and veteran Australian Steve Smith from the Australian lineup.
Regarding the Indian regiment, numerous people were perplexed by Rinku Singh‘s exclusion, given the southpaw’s power-hitting range and skill, even though the chosen members were essentially expected to be among the troops representing the country at the major event that the West Indies and the USA will co-host later this year.
“Look, I’m really bummed that Rinku Singh isn’t on the squad because he was instrumental in helping his club win games the previous season. He proved he had that skill last year, you see. He also displayed the same abilities when representing India. It’s really discouraging to not get selected when you consistently strike out at a rate of 170+ and average between 60–70, Irfan stated in a Star Sports Press Room interview.
It’s the elimination matches that worry me, not the first round: Irfan Pathan
The 39-year-old further discussed the weakness that has plagued the Indian team in every ICC competition since their Champions Trophy victory in 2013—their inability to bear the pressure of meeting both the expectations of the fans and their own and to perform well under duress. In contrast to their performances at the 50-over World Cup last year and the T20 World Cup in 2022, he emphasised his desire for India to play a far more daring and courageous brand of cricket.
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“When the pressure increases, it’s imperative that the chosen players perform. I’m more worried about the knockout rounds than the first round. In the 50-over format as well as the T20 World Cup in Australia, Irfan Pathan stated, “I want the Indian team to play fearless cricket in those crucial moments, something I felt was lacking in the last two World Cups.”
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