India batter Rinku Singh did not expect to see his name in the 15-member squad named for the upcoming Asia Cup 2025 tournament. The southpaw, who did not have the best of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) season playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), stated he was unsure whether he would be playing the continental Cup. Notably, the Uttar Pradesh batter also struggled in India's last T20 series against England.
However, things turned around for Rinku when he found his mojo back in the ongoing UP T20 League. Playing for Meerut Mavericks, the batter slammed his maiden T20 hundred, helping his team chase down a target of 168 runs. The icing on the cake was, the southpaw's knock came under pressure when his team had lost four wickets inside eight overs. The batter said seeing his name in the Asia Cup squad motivated him to do well.
"I got motivated after I saw my name on the Asia Cup list. I did not do well last year, and I felt that it was possible that I would get left out. But the selectors showed trust in me and selected me, and that gave me a confidence boost. The innings that I played in the UP T20 League have boosted my confidence, and I would take it there," Rinku Singh said.
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My bowling skill might have helped me get selected in the Asia Cup squad: Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh further stated that maybe his bowling skills got him into the Continental Cup side. Notably, the Ajit Agarkar-led selection panel have selected a lot of two-dimensional players, rather than players having just one skill. The southpaw who bowls part-time spin can give the team an extra option of bowling a few overs.
"Bowling is very important today. The selectors want you to have multiple roles in the team. If you cannot affect the game by bat, do it with the ball," Rinku said.
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Rinku also broke the silence of being the finisher for KKR. The batter spoke that maybe batting in that specific role - three to four overs, perhaps typecast him. The southpaw, though, stated he has the ability to bat higher up the order.
"I batted at No. 5 in 2023. I do not feel good when I bat at No. 7 and No. 8. But it is the team's need, so you have to perform in that role. I have played 33 T20I matches for the Indian team, and I have scored 3 fifties. I can bat everywhere, not just in the finisher's role," Rinku said in the interview.
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Rinku's maiden T20 hundred, an unbeaten 108 off 48 balls, contained seven boundaries and eight sixes. This fearless ball-striking is what India needs when it plays in the upcoming Asia Cup.
