Rinku Singh's return may push two India stars out of T20I setup
If Rinku Singh impresses in the Zimbabwe T20I series, he could replace underperforming players like Tilak Varma and Axar Patel in India's T20I squad.
Rinku Singh is back in India's T20I squad for the three-match series against Zimbabwe, starting July 23 at Harare Sports Club. His recall comes after India's middle order struggled during the recent tours of Ireland and England, averaging just 23.72 with a strike rate of 133.55. Rinku, who had a quiet T20 World Cup, bounced back in IPL 2026, scoring 295 runs at an average of 59 and strike rate of 148.99.
If Rinku performs well in Zimbabwe, he could replace Tilak Varma, whose strike rate of 134.46 is below par for modern T20Is. Rinku's T20I strike rate of 155.7, combined with his ability to accelerate under pressure, makes him a more explosive option. Another candidate is Axar Patel, the experienced allrounder, who may also be dropped if Rinku strengthens the middle order and reduces the need for an extra spinner. The series will be crucial for Rinku to cement his place in India's T20I plans.