The exclusion of Rinku Singh from the 15-member India squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked disappointment among fans who were eagerly anticipating his explosive abilities in the marquee event. The decision to leave out Rinku Singh was primarily influenced by the controversial ‘Impact Player’ rule that has been a hot topic in the IPL 2024 season.
Sources revealed that Rinku Singh’s limited opportunities to bat in the IPL 2024 season played a significant role in his omission from the squad. The Impact Player rule allowed other players like Venkatesh Iyer and Angkrish Raghuvanshi to shine, as they were given early opportunities to showcase their power-hitting abilities.
Rinku Singh, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, was often utilized as a finisher, which restricted his chances to make an impact with the bat. In contrast, players like Shivam Dube from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were given more opportunities to showcase their skills as Impact Players, resulting in impressive performances.
While Rinku Singh only faced 82 balls in eight matches during the IPL 2024 season, Shivam Dube had 203 balls in nine games for CSK, allowing him to score 26 sixes and 24 fours. The Impact Player rule has undoubtedly had a significant impact on team selections and player performances in the T20 World Cup squad.
The strategic decisions made by franchises in the IPL have also come under scrutiny, with the promotion of certain players to the batting order affecting their chances of making it to the national squad. As the T20 World Cup approaches, the debate around the Impact Player rule and its implications on player selections continues to be a hot topic among cricket enthusiasts.