R Ashwin lauds Rinku Singh, calls him 'Left-Handed MS Dhoni' after T20I success

Indian cricketer R Ashwin recently lauded Rinku Singh, likening him to a "left-handed MS Dhoni," following Singh's impressive performance in the T20I series against Afghanistan. Rinku Singh's cricketing journey, from an underdog to a pivotal T20 player, has been remarkable. He has become a key figure for India in T20 Internationals, especially excelling at the challenging No. 6 position.

In less than a year since his international debut, Singh has firmly established himself in the Indian T20I team. Over 15 matches, the left-handed batsman has accumulated 356 runs, boasting an average of 89.00 and an impressive strike rate of 176.23.

R Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, admired Singh's composure under pressure, drawing parallels with legendary cricketer MS Dhoni. "He is somebody I’d call a left-handed Dhoni. I can’t compare him to Dhoni just yet because Dhoni is too big. But, I am talking about the composure that he brings," Ashwin stated.

Ashwin also highlighted Singh's journey, including his time with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, where he initially struggled for game time. Ashwin recounted how Singh's dedication and sportsmanship won over the KKR management. "People used to tell me that, when he was at KKR, even though he couldn’t get the chance to bat at practice, he collected all the balls that batters hit in throwdowns and gave them back to the bowler," Ashwin explained.

Singh's commitment to Uttar Pradesh's cricket and his reliability in challenging situations for the Indian team have been noteworthy. Ashwin emphasized Singh's consistent composure, whether the team is setting a total or chasing, particularly towards the innings' end.

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