Irfan Pathan believes that young left-hander Rinku Singh is unfortunate to be left out of the T20I team against South Africa.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Irfan said that more or less the team selected for the South Africa series will play in the upcoming 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
“Hardik Pandya is back so Rinku Singh is out. Rinku Singh is unfortunate but this was obvious once Hardik was ready to return. This squad is 90-95% of what India will pick for the 2026 T20 World Cup.”
Hardik is set to make a comeback after suffering an injury in the Asia Cup 2025. Nitish Kumar Reddy was taken as a replacement for him during the Australia tour and South Africa series. Hardik scored an unbeaten 77 against Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Irfan believes Hardik and the other finisher with him will be India’s most important players in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“India have to clear several things. Whether they go with Bumrah, Hardik and Shivam Dube along with the three spinners, Axar, Kuldeep and Varun Chakaravarthy. But I believe Hardik’s role will be the most crucial for India’s progress in T20s and in the World cup. Him and one other finisher playing with him, those two will be most crucial for whether India winning the trophy again or not.”
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