In an emotional setback for the Indian cricket team, middle-order batter Rinku Singh has left the T20 World Cup camp in Chennai and returned to Aligarh to attend to a serious family health emergency, casting doubt over his availability for Thursday’s do-or-die Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. The development has opened the door for Sanju Samson, who responded with an intense and extended net session at Chepauk that showcased his destructive power .
Rinku Singh rushes home as father’s health deteriorates
According to multiple reports, Rinku’s father, who is battling fourth-stage liver cancer, has been admitted to a hospital and is currently on ventilator support. The 28-year-old left-hander did not attend the team’s practice session in Chennai on Tuesday and has travelled to be with his family during this critical time.
The news comes as a significant blow to India’s plans for the must-win encounter. Rinku has featured in all five matches India have played in the tournament, primarily in the critical finisher’s role. While he has managed only 24 runs across those innings, often arriving with very few deliveries remaining, his presence at No. 7 provides crucial balance to the lower order.
The team management is unlikely to rush Rinku back for Thursday’s game, with reports indicating that his participation remains uncertain.
Sanju Samson’s extended net session turns heads
With Rinku’s absence looming large, focus has sharply shifted to Sanju Samson, who responded to the opportunity with an extraordinary display of power-hitting during Tuesday’s practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium .
The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter, who last played against Namibia on February 12, arrived at the nets around 6:35 pm IST and embarked on a marathon session that lasted well over two hours. Initially struggling to time the ball against pacers Arshdeep Singh, Shivam Dube and Mohammed Siraj, Samson gradually found his rhythm.
“By the time he swapped with Ishan Kishan for the third time, Samson had hit his strides,” reported The New Indian Express. “He continued with the usual big back and across trigger movement and picked up everything that was on the back of length or shorter, swatting and pulling Siraj and Arshdeep into the stands.”
What followed was particularly telling. After his intense session against pace, Samson moved to the other end of the ground to face spinners for another half-hour. He then completed keeping drills with fielding coach T Dilip before heading to the outdoor nets for an additional 30 minutes of throwdowns, many delivered by assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate himself .
The selection equation: Who makes into the playing XI?
Samson’s surge comes at a time when India’s top-order batting has been under intense scrutiny following the 76-run hammering by South Africa. The defending champions slumped to 111 all out while chasing 188, with their left-hand heavy top order exposed yet again .
Sunil Gavaskar has already advocated for Axar Patel’s return 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 multiple combinations are being considered .
There is a high possibility of Samson opening the batting and pushing either of the two left-handers – Abhishek Sharma or Ishan Kishan – down the order.
Beyond the batting reshuffle, India are almost certain to bring Axar Patel back into the playing XI after his controversial omission against South Africa. Washington Sundar, preferred for match-ups against left-handers, contributed little with either 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 appearance against Pakistan. If India 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 languish third in Group 1 with zero points and a disastrous net run rate of -3.800 after their South Africa defeat. Thursday’s clash against Zimbabwe is effectively a knockout – another loss would end their semifinal hopes and extinguish their title defence.
For Samson, who has watched from the sidelines throughout most of the tournament, this could be the moment he has been waiting for. His extended net session in Chennai was not merely about timing the ball – it was a statement of intent.
The Kerala batter now stands on the cusp of a opportunity to script redemption on a ground where he will soon represent Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026.
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