'I hope Rinku Singh doesn't want to be tagged himself as a...': Ashish Nehra

| TOI Sports Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Nov 29, 2023, 10:39 IST

Rinku Singh's persistent proficiency in successfully concluding m... Read More

NEW DELHI: Rinku Singh's consistent ability to successfully finish the matches, whether in the IPL or T20 internationals, has earned him the reputation of being a reliable finisher.

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However, former India pacer Ashish Nehra doesn't seem to be impressed with the word 'finisher' and feels a player of Rinku's caliber can even bat up the order and be in the scheme of the things of ODI cricket as well.

Rinku smashed an unbeaten 31* in just nine balls in the second T20I against Australia consisting of four boundaries and two sixes. He also played a crucial role in the first match to help India chase down 209 with his unbeaten 22 off 14 balls.

"This is not the first time he has done it. We all have been discussing his role, his power. Not just about his batting, even with the way he throws himself on the field, it shows he is a great team man. He will be a great asset to Indian cricket. Yes, we are talking only about T20 cricket, but who knows tomorrow he can also be playing ODI cricket," Nehra told JioCinema.

3rd T20I: Maxwell keeps Australia alive against India

Glenn Maxwell smashed an unbeaten 104 as Australia pulled off a stunning chase of 223 in the third T20I against India to stay alive in the series with a five-wicket win.

India rode on Ruturaj Gaikwad's maiden international century and his 141-run unbeaten stand with Tilak Varma to post a mammoth 222-3 in Guwahati on Tuesday.

Australia elected to bowl first and got two early wickets but Gaikwad took apart the opposition bowling to raise his 100 off 52 balls.

Gaikwad finished with 13 fours and seven sixes in his 57-ball blitz with Varma, who hit 31 off 24 balls, playing anchor at the other end.

Maxwell struck his 100 in 47 balls and completed the win with a six and three fours from the final four balls of the 20th over before he flies back home.

It was Maxwell's fourth T20I century as he joined Rohit Sharma with most tons in the format and the knock eclipsed a 123 by Ruturaj Gaikwad.

Maxwell's 47-ball hundred was the joint fastest in the format for an Australian batsman alongside Aaron Finch and Josh Inglis.

Maxwell, in his 100th T20I, struck eight fours and eight sixes and put on an unbeaten 91-run stand with skipper Matthew Wade (28).

Australia slipped to 68-3, but Maxwell stood firm and tore into the Indian attack despite getting cramps towards the end.

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"I am not a big fan of the word 'finisher'. Your opener can be a finisher, if he scores a hundred, he can finish the game and come back. At times, it can be harsh. Let me give you an example, if the same Rinku Singh doesn't finish the game once or twice. Coming back to Rinku Singh, he is someone who can even play up the order, I can see him playing in 50-over cricket going forward. He can bat at No. 4, No. 5 or No. 6," he said.

Rinku has incredible statistics in his short T20I career so far. In eight matches and four innings, he has scored 128 runs at an average of 128.00, finishing unbeaten thrice. His runs have come at a strike rate of over 216.95, with a best score of 38.

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"On any odd day, the Indian team can be 40 for 4 in 5-6 overs. And I hope Rinku Singh is ready to play any role, I hope he doesn't want to be tagged himself as a finisher. He should be looking to excel in all departments," the former India pacer added.

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