New Delhi: India has suffered a potential setback ahead of their crucial ICC T20 World Cup 2026 match against Zimbabwe on February 26 at MA Chidambaram Stadium. Star finisher Rinku Singh has returned home due to a family emergency, as his father’s health has deteriorated and he has been admitted to a hospital in Greater Noida. This casts doubt on Singh’s availability for the game.
Possible Replacements in the Playing XI
India now faces a selection dilemma. Two players are under consideration to fill the void left by Rinku Singh:
- Axar Patel
- Axar Patel offers the team an extra spin option on Chennai’s spin-friendly pitch.
- Including Patel would allow India to field four all-rounders: Shivam Dubey, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar.
- The team could pair him with two pacers — Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah — while retaining balance in both batting and bowling.
- Sanju Samson
- Sanju Samson can either open the innings or bat at number three.
- His inclusion would strengthen India’s batting lineup, providing stability and firepower in the top and middle order.
High Stakes for India
The match against Zimbabwe is effectively a must-win for India. Besides securing victory, India must also improve their Net Run Rate (NNR) to keep semi-final hopes alive.
With the World Cup progressing into the Super 8 stage, team selection becomes critical, and the decision on Singh’s replacement could have a decisive impact on India’s campaign.
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