By Krishna Dua 
Rinku Singh Omitted From T20 Squad Despite
The BCCI’s announcement on December 7, 2025, of the Indian T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against South Africa has triggered an uproar, with Rinku Singh’s glaring omission topping the bill of controversies. At 28, the Uttar Pradesh finisher—whose bat has blazed through domestic arenas like a desert storm—finds himself sidelined despite a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) campaign that screams for inclusion: 412 runs in 12 innings at a staggering strike rate of 178.19, including three half-centuries and a highest of 92 off 38 balls against Mumbai. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar’s rationale—”prioritizing long-term balance and emerging roles”—has fallen on deaf ears, igniting a firestorm from Lucknow’s maidans to Mumbai’s commentary boxes. “Rinku’s the guy who chases 20 off 6 with a smile—how do you drop domestic dynamite?” fumed former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan on his YouTube channel, a sentiment echoed by 1.5 million views in hours. As #BringBackRinku trends with 2.8 million posts on X, the snub exposes deeper fault lines in selection strategy, pitting IPL glamour against Ranji reality in a debate that’s as old as the white ball itself.
Rinku’s 2025-26 has been a masterclass in middle-order mastery. In the SMAT, Uttar Pradesh’s talisman propelled them to the semi-finals with a tournament-defining 85 off 42 against Bengal, threading ramps and ramps that recalled his iconic 2023 IPL heroics for KKR. His average of 58.85, economy under six in cameos, and zero single-digit scores paint a picture of unflappable poise—precisely the antidote to India’s T20 finishing frailties post-Hardik Pandya’s all-round eclipse. Yet, the squad—captained by Suryakumar Yadav and featuring returnees Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad—leans on unproven youth like Tilak Varma (strike rate 152 in IPL 2025) and Abhishek Sharma, sidelining Rinku’s proven pedigree. Agarkar, in a post-announcement briefing, defended the call: “We’ve got eyes on 2026 World Cup depth—Rinku’s contributions are noted, but roles evolve.” Critics counter: with the SA series starting December 15 in Durban, why bench a batter who’s unbeaten in 16 of 18 chases?
The backlash is bipartisan. Kris Srikkanth, ex-chief selector, blasted the panel on Star Sports: “Domestic form is the feeder system—Rinku’s knocking down doors, and they’re installing gates.” Even Rohit Sharma, the limited-overs skipper, hinted at surprise in a cryptic tweet: “Form speaks—listen close.” Fans in Barabanki, Rinku’s hometown where he once sold peanuts at Ekana Stadium, turned streets into protest pads, murals of his helicopter shot sprouting overnight. “He’s our son, our six-machine—BCCI, don’t drop the catch,” pleaded local mentor Manoj Tiwary, whose UP side credits Rinku’s 200-plus partnerships for their unbeaten run.
Rinku’s Rampage: A Domestic Diary of Destruction
Rinku’s 2025 resurgence is no flash; it’s a flare-up of untapped fire. Post his 2024 IPL trade to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for Rs 8 crore, he repaid faith with 356 runs at 187 strike rate, including a death-over demolition of 97 off 48 against Gujarat Titans. But it’s the domestic dome where he dazzles: in Vijay Hazare, 289 runs at 72.25 average, highlighted by a gritty 68 vs Baroda on a greentop. SMAT stats sing louder—412 runs, eclipsing Prithvi Shaw’s 380, with a 92* vs Mumbai chasing 198 in 19 overs, laced with 10 boundaries and five maximums. “Rinku’s not swinging; he’s sculpting—every shot a statement,” lauded UP captain Nitish Rana, whose 180-run stand with him vs Delhi turned a thriller.
His versatility vexes omissions: switch-hits in nets, ambidextrous flicks, and a conversion rate of 75 percent in run chases. Internationally, seven T20I caps yield 168 runs at 168 SR, including that mythical five-sixes blitz vs PNG in 2019 U-19 WC. 2025 ODIs against Sri Lanka—two ducks—opened cracks, but domestic dominance demands dismissal. Pathan, on Cricbuzz, crunched numbers: “Rinku’s SR 185 tops Varma’s 162; his chase average 62 vs 48. Selectors, stats don’t lie.” Agarkar’s “emerging talents” nod to Varma’s IPL 425 runs feels flimsy against Rinku’s Ranji 450 at 165 SR.
Barabanki buzzes with betrayal. The Rinku Singh Cricket Academy, mentoring 250 kids on repurposed cylinder carts, swells with donations—Rs 5 lakh overnight for scholarships. “He’s our AB de Villiers without the overseas tag—BCCI, wake up,” urged Suresh Raina, hosting a Lucknow rally drawing 2,000. Globally, South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen tweeted: “Rinku’s a nightmare in chases—hope India unleashes him soon.”
Selector Saga: Agarkar’s Algorithm Under Fire
Ajit Agarkar’s revamped panel—post-2024 Champions Trophy flops—faces its fiercest flak. The squad: Suryakumar (c), Yashasvi, Ruturaj, Shubman Gill, Tilak, Varma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Avesh Khan, Harshit Rana, Abhishek Sharma—averages 26 years, a youthquake for 2026 WC defense. Omissions like Rinku, Deepak Hooda (finisher extraordinaire), and Prasidh Krishna (pace prodigy) sting. “Balance? It’s bias toward IPL auctions,” thundered Srikkanth, noting Varma’s franchise favoritism. Agarkar countered: “Rinku’s 28—time on his side; we’re layering options.” Yet, precedent mocks: Ishan Kishan’s 2023 domestic exile birthed recall; Rinku’s superior stats scream sequel.
The T20 transition—Rohit’s retirement yawning wide—amplifies agony. Suryakumar’s explosive 80s suit slots, but middle-order anchors like Rinku (unbeaten in 15 chases) are unicorns. McKinsey’s 2025 cricket analytics peg Rinku’s “win probability add” at 22 percent per innings—tops among uncapped finishers. Pathan pressed: “Domestic is the dojo—ignore it, and your warriors weaken.” Even Gautam Gambhir, MI mentor, hinted: “Rinku’s LSG form is LSG gold—selectors, scout beyond boundaries.”
BCCI’s IPL tilt irks: franchise loyalty over Ranji runs, where Rinku’s Ekana exploits (450 at 165 SR) shine. The SA bilateral, a WC warm-up, risks fragility sans his ice: chases could curdle without his calm carnage.
Rinku’s Resilience: Barabanki’s Beacon Unbowed
Rinku’s tale, a triumph over toil, tempers the tempest. Son of a cylinder dabbawala in Aligarh, he hawked snacks at Ekana before U-19 glory—five sixes vs PNG a legend. IPL 2018 debut: 112 runs; 2024 KKR title: 53 off 27 vs SRH. Seven T20I cameos: 168 at 168 SR. 2025’s domestic deluge—1,200 runs across formats at 165 SR—defies demotion.
His midnight Instagram: “Grind’s my guru—snubs sharpen the blade. UP ke sher, abhi ladenge.” Academy swells, murals multiply. Tiwary vows: “Rinku’s return’s inevitable—selectors, heed the roar.”
Fan flames forge futures: 60,000-signature petitions, Raina’s rallies. Klaasen’s nod nods global nod.
Reckoning on the Rise: Rinku’s Rally and India’s Rethink
December 8 dawns defiant for Rinku, SMAT semis vs Tamil Nadu December 10 a snub-slayer stage. Agarkar’s axe invites audit: SA sans Rinku risks middle-muddle; flops fast-track recall. For cricket’s coliseum, the omission spotlights schisms—domestic devalued in IPL’s glare—demanding dialogue.
Rinku Singh, omitted but omnipotent, embodies the game’s grit: form’s fleeting, fire’s forever. As Barabanki bats on, selectors stir—his sixes summon a reckoning.