Rinku Singh's Test Cricket Aspirations: A Gradual Journey or Immediate Impact?

It was surprising to some that Rinku Singh was in the India dressing room for the first Test at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Rinku was requested to remain behind while on tour with the limited-overs team in order to experience the red-ball conditions. After making his ODI debut in South Africa, he went on to have a successful T20I series as well, batting well in the second T20I after the first was destroyed with a score of 39 balls. He added another valuable point as India tied the series 1-1 in the decisive match.

The action taken by the team management is seen as an attempt to acclimate him to the lengthier format gradually. Head coach Rahul Dravid and the national selectors are said to have been pleased by his sense of occasion, composure, and cool demeanor.

Will Rinku be given a chance to play in a Test match? He demonstrated that he can manage pressure on Wednesday in the last Twenty20 International in Bangalore with his 69 not out and an uninterrupted 190-run stand with Rohit Sharma. Even though India was down at 22/4, the two worked together to eliminate the bowlers' danger.

What made him stand out, in contrast to other T20 batsmen, was his tendency to play true cricketing strokes rather than slog. His shot selection demonstrated solid technique, emphasizing his ability to perform well in a variety of situations and styles.

After the game, Dravid didn't neglect to give Rinku a particular remark. Also complimenting the left-hander's "mindset" was Rohit.

"The maturity he's shown and the calmness is terrific, especially for someone who is just starting out in international cricket," Dravid said. It was excellent for us to see him enter the field at 22 for 4 in the sixth over, continue to create that partnership, and demonstrate his late-inning abilities. We have seen him enter the field towards the end of an innings and close games out.

"He's very clear about his skills, what he knows what his strengths are, what he needs to work on and how he plans to construct his innings," the person said of our chats with him.

Going one step further, Ravichandran Ashwin compared him to Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

"I would characterize Rinku Singh as a left-handed version of MS Dhoni. He's not quite up to MS yet; MS is simply too huge. However, I'm referring about his poise, Ashwin said on his YouTube account.

Rinku has advanced through the ranks and, in contrast to others, has always valued first-class cricket, which is evident in his methodology. After getting cleared to play before the second Test in South Africa, he participated in a Ranji match. He is also eligible for their tie against Bihar, which got underway in Meerut on Friday.

Nonetheless, Chandrakant Pandit, one of the most successful coaches in the domestic circuit and a member of the support staff of the Kolkata Knight Riders, believes that the middle-order batter should be treated slowly without being overlooked for the longer format.

Expectations were boosted by his performance in the previous IPL, and he did not let them down. His successes are not surprising to me considering his abilities and situational acumen.

He has never hesitated in his approach and has shown maturity. In gloomy circumstances like Bangalore, his ability to choose his shots carefully has been invaluable, Pandit said to The Telegraph on Friday night.

Given his current form, I wouldn't want to confuse him at this stage of his career. He should simply concentrate on the T20 World Cup in June, since the IPL is quickly approaching. If you give him that chance, he will be motivated going into the June competition.

Pandit concurs, however, that Rinku deserves a chance to play Test cricket since he has the skill to succeed in the longer format.

What's the point, he asks? He resembles Jayasuriya or Sehwag in the Twenty20s. You can't dispute his ability, but none can promise success. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer have also followed a similar path.

"Let him remain on this stage for the time being. He will succeed if you give him some time and don't hurry him.

The management of the squad is prepared to wait.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.