"Hardik Pandya Should've Missed Out": Ex Pakistan Star On Rinku Singh's T20 World Cup Snub

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria has questioned the BCCI selectors over the exclusion of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh from the 15-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Rinku has been included in the travelling reserves for the tournament, but fans and experts feels that the batter should've been part of the main squad. During a recent interaction, Kaneria suggested that Rinku should've been part of the squad. Instead, Kaneria felt that Mumbai Indians (MI) Hardik Pandya should've been the one to miss out, purely because of his poor returns in the ongoing IPL.

"India has a reputation of producing quality cricketers. In recent times Yashasvi Jaiswal and Angkrish Raghuvanshi are the prime examples of it. Mayank Yadav too has surprised everyone with his raw pace and so has Abhishek Sharma with his power hitting capabilities. As far as Rinku's case is concerned, I also feel that he should've been a part of India's T20 WC squad. If I take the ongoing IPL's performances in consideration then Hardik Pandya should've been the one to miss out. He hasn't shown consistency at all. You already have Shivam Dube who has been doing well for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Overall the squad looks good, but Dube and Rinku would've been a powerful combination for India down the order," Kaneria told Sports Now in an interview.

Meanwhile, Rinku had a horror outing in his first game since the T20 World Cup omission.

During the match between KKR and Mumbai Indians on Friday, Rinku scored just nine runs off eight balls before being dismissed by Piyush Chawla.

Despite Rinku's flop show, KKR beat MI by 24 runs at the Wankhede Stadium.

Chasing a below-par 170, Mumbai lost wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 145 off 18.5 overs.

This was KKR's first win at the Wankhede ground in 12 years and seventh from 10 games this season.

MI slumped to ninth position in the 10-team competition after their eighth loss in 11 games.

KKR are placed second and well poised to make it to the play-offs.

(With AFP Inputs)