IND vs NZ: Rinku Singh Seals His Place with Explosive T20 Comeback

Nagpur: In a thrilling start to the five-match T20I series, India defeated New Zealand by 48 runs in the first encounter, thanks in large part to a sensational performance by Rinku Singh in the death overs. The left-handed batsman once again emerged as India’s match-finisher, cementing his spot in the squad with a stunning display of power hitting.

Rinku Singh’s Explosive Finishing
Coming in at the crucial stage, Rinku Singh played an aggressive cameo, scoring 44 runs off just 20 balls, including 4 fours and 3 sixes. His fearless strokeplay disrupted New Zealand’s bowling plans, particularly in the final overs, helping India post a formidable total. His dynamic batting not only changed the course of the match but also thrilled the stadium crowd.

Dominating the Final Over
Tasked with accelerating the innings in the final overs, Rinku Singh smashed 21 runs off the last over bowled by Darryl Mitchell, hitting two sixes and two fours, pushing India past the 200-run mark and giving the team a commanding finish.

A Strong Comeback
Rinku Singh’s inclusion in the playing XI marked a significant return after being overlooked for series against Australia and South Africa following the Asia Cup 2025. His stellar performance against New Zealand has confirmed him as one of India’s key players ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, set to begin on February 7. In his T20I career so far, Rinku has scored 594 runs in 36 matches at an average of 45.69, including three half-centuries.

This remarkable comeback underlines Rinku Singh’s ability to deliver under pressure, making him one of India’s most reliable finishers in limited-overs cricket.