‘He is like Dhoni’ – Star India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin compares India’s young batter with MS Dhoni

Ravichandran Ashwin, a renowned Indian cricketer, has heaped praise on young batter Rinku Singh. Ashwin linked him to a “left-handed MS Dhoni” following Rinku’s impressive performance in the recently concluded T20I series against Afghanistan.

Rinku’s journey, marked by a remarkable rags-to-riches story and a pivotal role in the Indian Premier League, has taken a new turn. Becoming a formidable T20 batter, Rinku has embraced the challenges of batting at No. 5 in the shortest format, making strides towards becoming a crucial part of the team.

In less than a year since his debut, Rinku Singh has solidified his position at No. 6 for India in T20 internationals. Across 15 matches, the left-hander has amassed 356 runs with an impressive average of 89.00 and a striking strike rate of 176.23.

R. Ashwin, in his comments on his YouTube channel, lauded Singh’s composure, drawing parallels with the legendary MS Dhoni. However, Ashwin was quick to acknowledge that comparing anyone to Dhoni is challenging due to Dhoni’s iconic stature in the cricketing world.

He said, “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. He has been consistently scoring buckets of runs for UP and broke his way into the Indian team. He was on the KKR bench for many years.”

Rinku Singh has been phenomenal in domestic cricket

Rinku Singh’s journey to the national team involved consistent run-scoring for Uttar Pradesh (UP) and overcoming challenges while being on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bench for several years. Ashwin shared an anecdote highlighting Rinku’s sportsmanship, revealing that during his time with KKR, Rinku diligently collected balls hit in throwdowns and returned them to the bowlers, earning respect from the franchise management.

Ashwin emphasised Rinku’s unwavering commitment, noting his ability to handle pressure, whether batting first or chasing. Rinku’s composed approach in the latter stages of innings, according to Ashwin, adds significant value to the team. The left-hander’s journey from being on the bench to becoming a reliable player for both UP and the Indian team showcases his resilience and determination, earning him recognition as a valuable asset in challenging situations.