Published By: Sanchari Das

SA vs. IND: Rinku Singh's Dwindling Form—Will the Last Match Against South Africa Spark a Comeback?

With one match left in the series, Rinku has a final chance to regain his form and make a statement

Rinku Singh, a star in India's T20 setup, has struggled to find his touch in recent matches. On November 13, against South Africa, Rinku was dismissed by a perfect yorker from Andile Simelane in the third T20I. He managed only 8 runs off 13 balls and bowled out in the 18th over. Once known for his consistent scoring, Rinku has faced growing pressure after several poor performances. Despite an impressive average of 54.44 in T20Is before this slump, he has not been able to replicate his early success in recent games.

A promising career hits a roadblock

Rinku Singh had a strong start in T20Is, making headlines with his aggressive batting. However, since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, his form has decreased. In IPL 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn't give him enough opportunities, which affected his rhythm. This setback cost him a spot in India's 15-man squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. When given the chance against Bangladesh in a home series, he registered scores of 53 and an unbeaten 8*.

Rinku failed to deliver against Sri Lanka

Rinku Singh's struggles extended to the Sri Lanka series, where he couldn't find his rhythm. In two T20I matches against Sri Lanka, he managed scores of 14 and 7 runs, failing to provide the much-needed stability in the middle order. His dismissals came at crucial moments, putting extra pressure on the Indian team.

Struggle continues against South Africa

Rinku's woes continued in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, where India currently leads 2-1. In the first T20I, he scored just 11 runs, falling to a short delivery from Gerald Coetzee after mistiming a pull shot. In the second match, Rinku again fell to Coetzee while attempting a slog sweep, managing only 9 runs. His struggles culminated in the third T20I, where a perfect yorker from Simelane sent him back to the pavilion with just 8 runs. With one match left in the series, Rinku has a final chance to regain his form and make a statement.

Underwhelming performance in 2024 T20Is

Rinku Singh's 2024 season has been a rollercoaster, marred by frequent low scores. In 13 T20I innings this year, he has been dismissed five times after scoring less than 15 runs. Although he has remained unbeaten seven times, his impact with the bat has been minimal. His overall average has dropped below 50, now sitting at 49.90. Despite two half-centuries, his poor run continued, with just 168 runs scored in 11 IPL innings. This decline contrasts sharply with his earlier performances, when he was seen as a reliable middle-order finisher. The drop in form has raised doubts about his future in the Indian squad.

KKR's faith, despite poor form

Despite his struggles in 2024, Kolkata Knight Riders have shown immense faith in Rinku Singh, making him their top retention ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. KKR shelled out a massive Rs. 13 crore for the left-hander, a significant jump from his previous contract of Rs. 55 lakh. This decision reflects the franchise's belief in Rinku's potential, especially after his sensational IPL 2023 season, where he scored 474 runs in 14 innings at an average of 59.75. However, he is now pressured to live up to the high expectations and deliver consistent performances.