Suryakumar Changes the Game with Rinku Singh’s Bowling Decision

In a thrilling finale to the T20 series against Sri Lanka, India’s captain Suryakumar made a bold move by giving the 19th over to Rinku Singh, who hadn’t bowled in international cricket before. With Mohammed Siraj still available to bowl, many were curious about this surprising decision.

This risky choice came after Khaleel Ahmed‘s over, which saw him concede 12 runs. Although India had already clinched the series with two victories under their belt, Suryakumar and the coaching staff decided to take a gamble by trusting Rinku, who rose to the occasion by taking two wickets for just three runs.

Following Rinku’s impressive performance, Suryakumar even took the ball himself in the final over, scooping up two wickets in a row as India managed to defend just six runs in a nail-biting finish that ended in a Super Over victory.

Speaking to Sony Sports after the match, Suryakumar explained his decision to give Rinku the opportunity to bowl in a critical moment. He believed that Rinku’s right-arm off-spin was better suited for the pitch conditions and that he had shown enough promise in the practice sessions leading up to the match.

Suryakumar admitted that deciding who would bowl the 19th over was the tough part, especially with Siraj and others still waiting to contribute. He felt Rinku was the right choice as he had practiced well and was ready to step up.

The captain also shared insights into match-up strategies, explaining that for right-arm bowlers against left-handed batsmen, it can often be challenging for the batsmen. Suryakumar emphasized how glad he was that Rinku proved his worth on the field, stating it provided him with another bowling option for future T20I matches.

Looking ahead, India is set to face Sri Lanka again, this time in a three-match ODI series starting on August 3 in Colombo, eager to build on their recent success.