Wasim Jaffer says India are missing Rinku Singh as West Indies level T20I series

Jaffer questions India’s selection balance after fourth T20I defeat

Wasim Jaffer believes India are paying a price for leaving Rinku Singh out of their T20I side, arguing the left-handed finisher could have offered a route back into Wednesday’s fourth match against the West Indies.

India lost by 24 runs after the visitors defended 247 for three to level the five-match series at 2-2. Shai Hope made an unbeaten 102 from 50 balls as West Indies set the target; India were dismissed for 223 in 19.3 overs, with Arshdeep Singh retiring hurt in the final over.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, the former India batter said Rinku’s ability to bat at No. 5 or 6, along with his left-handedness, made his omission difficult to understand. “If you look from a batter's perspective, Rinku is miles ahead of everyone else,” Jaffer said, adding that he felt it was “very unfortunate” Rinku was not in the team because he could not bowl.

Jaffer pointed to Rinku’s record in those middle- and lower-order positions in T20 internationals: 518 runs in 22 innings at an average of 43.15 and a strike rate of 156.00. He said Rinku might have changed the course of the fourth match, citing the batter’s record of winning games in franchise cricket. The article also noted that Rinku had scored 152 runs in 13 matches this year, averaging 25.33 with a strike rate of 139.44; his highest score in that period was 44 not out.

Jaffer warns against expecting four overs from Dhir

Jaffer also questioned whether Naman Dhir should be expected to deliver a full four-over spell. He said off-spinners without enough variation can be difficult to use after the powerplay, particularly in India, and described that expectation as “too ambitious.” He credited Roston Chase with doing the job, while stressing that such a role requires “cleverness or variation.”

Dhir’s batting, Jaffer added, would be important to his prospects in T20 cricket. The all-rounder had scored 14 runs across three innings in the series, but Jaffer said he had the ability to produce a quick cameo of 25 to 30 runs.

India and West Indies are scheduled to meet in the fifth and final T20I in Bengaluru on Saturday, October 17, with the series level at 2-2.