An emotional blow for the Indian cricket team, the middle-order batsmen Rinku Singh has left t20 world cup Camped in Chennai and returned to Aligarh to attend a serious family health emergency, raising doubts over his availability for Thursday’s do-or-die Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. This development opened the doors for Sanju Samson, who responded with an intense and extended net session in Chepauk that showcased his destructive power.
Rinku Singh reached home when his father’s health deteriorated.
According to multiple reports, Rinku’s father, who is battling stage four liver cancer, has been admitted to the hospital and is currently on ventilator support. The 28-year-old left-hander skipped the team’s practice session in Chennai on Tuesday and has traveled to be with his family during this crucial time.
This news is a big blow to India’s plans to win this match. Rinku has mainly played the role of a key finisher in all five matches played by India in the tournament. Although he has managed only 24 runs in those innings, often with very few balls remaining, his presence at No. 7 provides vital balance to the lower order.
The team management is unlikely to recall Rinku for Thursday’s game, with reports indicating that his participation remains uncertain.
Sanju Samson’s extended net session attracts attention
With Rinku’s absence growing up, the focus has increasingly shifted sanju samsonWho responded to the occasion with an extraordinary display of power-hitting during Tuesday’s practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
The Kerala wicketkeeper-batsman, who last played against Namibia on February 12, reached the nets around 6:35 pm IST and began a marathon session that lasted for over two hours. After initially struggling to time the ball against fast bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dubey and Mohammed Siraj, Samson gradually found his rhythm.
“By the time he swapped with Ishan Kishan for the third time, Samson had found his stride,” The New Indian Express reported. “He continued the usual big back and cross trigger movement and picked up everything behind a length or less, pulling Siraj and Arshdeep into the stands.”
What happened next was particularly telling. After his intense session against pace, Samson moved to the other end of the ground to face the spinners for the next half-hour. He then completed keeping exercises with fielding coach T Dilip before heading to the outdoor nets for an additional 30 minutes of throwdowns, many of which were delivered by assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate himself.
Selection equation: Who will be in the playing eleven?
Samson’s rise comes at a time when India’s top-order batting is under intense scrutiny after their 76-run defeat to South Africa. Chasing 188, the defending champions were all out for 111, exposing their left-handed heavy top order once again.
Sunil Gavaskar has already advocated the return of Axar Patel in place of Washington Sundar, citing the lack of left-handed batsmen in Zimbabwe’s line-up. But Rinku’s absence creates an additional vacancy, and several combinations are being considered.
There is a high possibility that Samson will open the batting and send either of the two left-handed batsmen – Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan – down the order.
Apart from the batting reshuffle, India are almost certain to bring Axar Patel back into the playing eleven after his controversial omission against South Africa. Washington Sundar, preferred for match-ups against left-handers, has contributed little with bat or ball and is expected to lead the way.
Kuldeep Yadav may also return to the playing eleven after playing alone against Pakistan on the traditionally spin-friendly Chepauk surface. If India choose three spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Axar will be included, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dubey providing pace options, along with Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
India are currently placed third in Group 1 with zero points and a disastrous net run rate of -3.800 after the loss to South Africa. Thursday’s clash against Zimbabwe is effectively a knockout – another defeat would end their semi-final hopes and end their title defence.
For Samson, who has watched from the sidelines during most of the tournament, this could be the moment he has been waiting for. His extended net session in Chennai was not just about timing the ball – it was a statement of intent.
The Kerala batsman now stands on the threshold of an opportunity to make a comeback on the field where he will soon represent Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.
Also read: 3 reasons why MS Dhoni will not play every match of IPL 2026
