CHENNAI, India — India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed on Tuesday that middle-order batter Rinku Singh will rejoin the team later Wednesday ahead of the must-win Super Eights clash against Zimbabwe at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium.
Rinku had left the team hotel and traveled to Uttar Pradesh after his father, who is suffering from liver cancer, was admitted to hospital and placed on ventilator support. He missed the team’s practice session on Tuesday.
“Rinku’s father wasn’t well. So he went back. I think he is coming back this evening,” Kotak said during a press conference.
India are weighing possible changes to the playing XI following a 76-run defeat to South Africa, including the potential inclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson for Thursday’s game.
“There can be changes, yes. We are discussing everything because we have two left-handers as openers and a left-hander at number three, and the opposition also has an off-spinner,” Kotak said. “Since we lost wickets in the first over in the last three games, any team would think about changes. We never decide the team too early, and it’s not fair to reveal plans in advance, but yes, there are definitely thoughts about it.”
Samson drew attention during Tuesday’s practice session, prompting questions about whether he could break into the XI. With Abhishek Sharma struggling at the top of the order and Ishan Kishan not offering favorable match-ups against off-spinners, the team management has discussed alternative combinations.
Asked whether Samson’s net session suggested he would feature against Zimbabwe, Kotak downplayed the significance of practice cues. “Sometimes he wants to do some drills, but I don’t think net sessions give any indications. But, definitely, there will be thoughts about playing him.” (Source: IANS)
