Not easy playing a finisher’s role, says Abhishek Nayar on Rinku Singh ahead of T20I series

Former Indian batter Abhishek Nayar has said it is not easy to play a finisher role in T20Is as one has to hit the ground running. Rinku Singh will be given the onus of finishing the innings for India in the five-match T20I series against Australia. The left-hander has scored 75 runs in two T20I innings for the Men in Blue and he will hold the key while batting down the order.

More impressively, the southpaw has scored his runs at a blistering strike rate of 208.33. Singh had done a fine job while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. The left-hander has scored 725 runs in 31 IPL matches at an average of 36.25 and a strike rate of 142.16.

Singh, who hails from Aligarh, had hogged the limelight when he smashed Yash Dayal for five consecutive sixes in the final over to win the game for KKR.

“It’s a big game for him and he knows it’s a big opportunity. He has worked really hard to come here and has done exceedingly well whenever he has got a chance,” Nayar was quoted as saying in Jio Cinemas.

“Just for him to be in this position and to now play against a team like Australia in India, with the understanding that the series is going to hold a lot of weightage in the future, playing a finisher’s role is not easy. There might be around 10 to 12 balls remaining when he comes to bat,” he stated.

“So, it’s about understanding how he plays them. He hasn’t played a lot in Vizag, but hopefully he can make a very big impact in Indian cricket,” Nayar added.

Rinku Singh scored 474 runs in 14 matches of IPL 2023 at an average of 59.23 and a strike rate of 149.53 and he was one of the biggest positives for KKR. The southpaw also scored four fifties in the season for KKR.

Singh will look to grab his opportunity with both hands and deliver for the team. The first T20I between India and Australia will be played at Vizag on Thursday.