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Rinku Singh vs Shivam Dube: India's T20 Dilemma
21 Jan
Summary
- Rinku Singh is favored as the primary finisher over Shivam Dube.
- Shivam Dube's bowling utility decreases with a full-strength Indian bowling attack.
- Rinku Singh's recent domestic form makes him a strong contender for the middle order.
India's T20I squad selection has been complicated by the emergence of Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube for the upcoming series against New Zealand and the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Rinku Singh is gaining an edge over Shivam Dube for the finisher's role in the middle order. His recent performances in domestic tournaments like the 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali and Vijay Hazare Trophies, marked by a strike rate close to 140, highlight his finishing capabilities.
Shivam Dube's role as a bowling all-rounder is diminished now that India can field its full-strength bowling unit. With key bowlers like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah available, Dube's bowling services are less essential, favoring Rinku Singh as a pure batsman.
Selectors recalled Rinku Singh to bolster the middle order after losing Jitesh Sharma. Despite a brief appearance in the 2025 Asia Cup, his consistent form and ability to strike immediately make him the primary candidate for the death overs role, a position he missed in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
