India vs Sri Lanka: Who Was The Mastermind Behind The Idea Of Rinku Singh Bowling?

In a thrilling finish to the third T20I against Sri Lanka, newly-appointed T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav made a surprising decision by giving the ball to Rinku Singh for the penultimate over, even though Khaleel Ahmed and Mohammed Siraj still had overs left. With Sri Lanka needing just 11 runs in the last two overs to chase down the target, the situation seemed to favor the Sri Lankan side. However, Rinku Singh’s performance was nothing short of exceptional. Despite the pressure, Rinku Singh delivered an outstanding over, dismissing key Sri Lankan batsmen Kusal Perera and Ramesh Mendis while conceding only three runs. His brilliant bowling put India in a strong position, setting up an exciting conclusion to the match. Suryakumar Yadav then took charge of the final over, and the game ended in a tie, leading to a Super Over.

In the Super Over, India emerged victorious, sealing a 3-0 series win over Sri Lanka. After the match, Rinku Singh shared that while he had been informed by the captain to be ready for bowling during the series, he was taken aback by being called upon at such a critical juncture. The 26-year-old cricketer mentioned that his prior experience in domestic cricket helped him regain his confidence and performance, ultimately contributing significantly to India’s series sweep.

“I have scalped quite some wickets in domestic cricket, and I even have a wicket in ODIs. Surya had informed me to be ready for bowling in the series. Although I did not bowl in the run-up to this game, Surya bhai had asked me to keep rehearsing my bowling. I did not expect to be asked to bowl during the game, as the situation was quite tight. But, he asked me to roll my arm over. And, once I began bowling, it was God’s plan – two wickets,” Rinku Singh said in a video posted on the BCCI website.

All-rounder Washington Sundar praised Suryakumar Yadav for his bold decision to bring Rinku Singh into the 19th over during the critical match against Sri Lanka. Sundar highlighted the courage Yadav showed in making such a pivotal choice, which proved crucial for India’s success. He emphasized that Rinku’s performance in the nets has consistently posed a challenge for the team, with players often struggling to face him during practice sessions. Sundar expressed his satisfaction that Rinku was able to deliver under the pressure of an international match, demonstrating his skill and composure on the global stage. This decision not only showcased Yadav’s confidence in his players but also underscored Rinku’s readiness and ability to perform when it mattered most.

“It was a great decision by Surya to bring in Rinku. He makes things very difficult for us when he bowls in the nets, and now, he’s shown that in this game as well,” Sundar added.