Rinku Singh rushes home as his father’s health deteriorates
According to multiple reports, Rinku’s father, who is suffering from stage four liver cancer, has been admitted to a hospital and is currently on ventilator support. The 28-year-old left-hander was not present at the team’s training in Chennai on Tuesday and has traveled to be with his family at this critical time.
The news comes as a major blow to India’s plans for the must-win meet. Rinku has featured in all the five matches played by India in the tournament, mainly in the role of the critical finisher. Although he has managed just 24 runs in that innings, often with very few deliveries left, his presence at number 7 provides crucial balance in the lower order.
The team management is unlikely to rush Rinku for Thursday’s match as reports suggest his participation remains uncertain.
Sanju Samson’s extensive net session draws attention
With Rinku’s absence looming large, the focus has sharply shifted to Sanju Samsonwho responded to the opportunity 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, arrived at the nets around 6.35 pm IST and began a marathon session that lasted over two hours. Samson initially struggled to time the ball against pacers Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube and Mohammed Siraj but gradually found his rhythm.
“By the time he traded with Ishan Kishan for the third time, Samson had made great strides.” reported The New Indian Express. “He continued with the usual big back and cross movement, picking up whatever was on the back, tall or shorter, as he whacked Siraj and Arshdeep and pulled them into the stands.”
What followed was especially telling. After his intense session against the pace, Samson moved to the other side of the ground to face spinners for another half-hour. He then completed drills with fielding coach T Dilip before heading to the outdoor nets for another 30 minutes of throwdowns, many of which were delivered by assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate himself.
The squad comparison: who will be in the playing XI?
Samson’s surge comes at a time when India’s top batsman is under intense scrutiny after the 76-run hammering by South Africa. The defending champions fell to 111 all out as they chased 188, their heavy left hand once again showing.
Sunil Gavaskar has already called for the return of Axar Patel in place of Washington Sundar, citing the lack of left-handed batters in Zimbabwe’s line-up. But Rinku’s absence creates an additional vacancy and several combinations are being considered.
There is a good chance that Samson will open the batting and push one of the two left-handers – Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan – down.
Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026 – Ravi Shastri suggests tactical shake-up in Indian squad for Super 8 match against Zimbabwe
Besides the batting reshuffle, it is almost certain that India will bring Axar Patel back into the starting line-up after his controversial omission against South Africa. Washington Sundar, who was favored to play against left-handers, contributed little with bat or ball and is expected to make way.
The Chepauk surface, traditionally spin-friendly, could also see Kuldeep Yadav return to the XI after his solitary outing against Pakistan. If India were to opt for three spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep would join Axar, with Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube providing pace options alongside Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh.
India currently sit third in Group 1 with zero points and a disastrous net run percentage of -3,800 after the defeat in South Africa. Thursday’s match against Zimbabwe is in fact a knockout; another defeat would end their semi-final hopes and nullify their title defense.
For Samson, who has watched from the sidelines for most of the tournament, this could be the moment he has been waiting for. His extended net session in Chennai was not just about the timing of the ball – it was a statement of intent.
The Kerala batsman is now on the cusp of an opportunity to script redemption on a ground where he will soon represent Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.
Also READ: 3 reasons why MS Dhoni won’t play every match of IPL 2026
#T20 #World #Cup #Rinku #Singh #returns #home #due #family #emergency #Sanju #Samson #unleashes #power #Chepauk #nets