Fans were taken a bit by surprise on Day 2 in the ongoing IND vs SA Centurion Test when they saw Rinku Singh fielding during South Africa’s innings.
Rinku Singh was seen making multiple terrific efforts at the boundary line, especially while fielding at the fine leg and square leg fence as the Protea batters, Dean Elgar in particular, pulled and glanced throughout the day.
Rinku was on the field as a substitute fielder for a significant amount of time.
But Rinku is not even part of the Test squad. So why was he even allowed to do fielding?
Rinku Singh – the 12th man of India in the first Test. pic.twitter.com/rcOfDTev8X
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 27, 2023
Why was Rinku Singh fielding today in Centurion Test during South Africa’s innings?
Rinku Singh was a substitute fielder today in Centurion when captain Rohit Sharma was off the field for some time. Even when other pacers needed rest and went to the dressing room, Rinku came on as a substitute fielder and didn’t make any mistakes in the field.
After Ruturaj Gaikwad’s hand injury, Rinku Singh has been retained by the BCCI selectors as a backup batsman, though he’s not added to the squad as it was Abhimanyu Easwaran who was drafted in as Gaikwad’s injury replacement. However, if any other batsman also gets injured, then Rinku would come in the squad.
Rinku didn’t fly back home after the completion of the white-ball matches against South Africa but instead was asked to stay back after Gaikwad’s injury and be part of the Test setup as a stand-in batsman.
Known for his exploits in white-ball cricket, Rinku also has superb first-class numbers already. In 42 first-class matches, the left-hander averages 57 with 7 centuries and 19 fifties to his name.
Meanwhile, talking about the match, Dean Elgar has led South Africa to a slender lead with his century. By stumps on Day 2, Elgar is unbeaten on 140 and South Africa have a lead of 11 runs with 5 wickets in hand.
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