Rinku Singh’s incredible cameo of 44 runs off 20 balls in the first Twenty20 International against New Zealand in Nagpur on Wednesday, January 21, was praised by former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh. After being selected for India’s 2026 T20 World Cup team, he returned to the starting lineup and had a great impact as a finisher in the 48-run triumph.
After Shubman Gill and Jitesh Sharma were abruptly removed by the selectors, Rinku Sing managed to return to the lineup. After Shivam Dube was removed for nine runs in the fourteenth over, he came in to bat. He then smashed four boundaries and three sixes at a strike rate of 220, helping India to a commanding 238/7.
Harbhajan praised Rinku Sing for his capacity to take advantage of situations and perform well under duress.
“Rinku Singh deserves appreciation for his effort; he took full advantage of his long-overdue opportunity. He is a diligent player who never misses an opportunity since he works so hard. Harbhajan wrote on his YouTube channel, “He wins hearts every time he plays.”
The off-spinner also praised Abhishek Sharma’s altruistic attitude, praising him for putting the team’s needs ahead of his own achievements. Abhishek hit five fours and eight sixes at a strike rate of 240 to score an incredible 84 from 35 balls. Despite hitting three boundaries earlier in the over, he was on the verge of recording his third T20I century but was dismissed while trying to take on Ish Sodhi.
“Abhishek Sharma had the opportunity to score a hundred, but he declined. He declared that even if he gets out, he will still bat with the same explosive style. This is the mentality difference. The fact that he focused on the team rather than himself is enormous. Because of the manner he is currently batting, Team India always wins when he reaches 50. The bowlers have no defence against him because he is a superstar,” Harbhajan remarked.
Abhishek became the fastest batter in history to surpass the 5,000-run milestone in T20 cricket during his half-century. He broke Andre Russell’s previous record by reaching the milestone in just 2,898 deliveries.
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