"I Blame KKR" For Rinku Singh's T20 World Cup Snub: Ex-India Star, Who Recommended Ajit Agarkar As BCCI Chief Selector

On Rinku Singh's surprising omission from India's 15-member squad for the Men's T20 World Cup, Ashok Malhotra, former India star, blamed his Kolkata Knight Riders teams. Malhotra has held top BCCI post too as in December, 2022, he was appointed a member of BCCI's Cricket Advisory Commitee. Rinku has played 15 T20Is for India since his debut last year. He has majorly excelled as a finisher, by scoring 356 runs at a strike rate of 176.23. But in IPL 2024, he hasn't got ample batting opportunities for Kolkata Knight Riders.

"I will put the blame on KKR management. He was a hero last year. This year, he hardly got a chance to bat. And now when they are giving him a chance he is off-colour. He lost his form. He doesn't seem to be in good nick,” Malhotra, who was appointed a member BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee in December, 2022, told RevSportz. In fact, in July 2023, the CAC recommended Ajit Agarkar for the post of BCCI chief selector.

"Last year he was scoring runs for fun but this year he is struggling. And that is because almost half the tournament is over and he has hardly got a bat. So, I would have put the blame a little bit on KKR because they didn't give him enough chance," he added.

"But despite of that selectors have picked him in the reserves. Although he deserved to be [in the main squad]. Because he is a guy who can bat in the late order. He can be a good finisher and we all know what he can do."

After addressing Wednesday's press conference alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar, Rohit was seen communicating with Rinku at the Wankhede Stadium during the practice session of KKR ahead of its clash against Mumbai Indians on Friday.

"That is great leadership by Rohit Sharma. Making sure you're upfront, honest, and speaking to players, it's easier to speak to someone when they're included in the side. It's always hard speaking to someone that's been left out, particularly under those circumstances.”

"So that's why Rohit Sharma is so highly regarded around the playing group, is that he is a very, very good leader. And he's got those soft skills, which are so important around communication," added Moody.