Indian batter Rinku Singh has credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for empowering the team to play aggressively and express themselves on the field. Singh’s blistering 53-run knock off 29 balls played a pivotal role in India’s 86-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I on Wednesday.
“The coach and captain have asked us to play our game and whatever the situation (is), the message from them is maarte jao ball ko (just keep hitting the ball),” Singh said at the post-match press conference.
Singh, who has often batted in the latter stages of innings, was called into action early on Wednesday after India lost three wickets inside the powerplay. He explained his approach, saying, “At the position I play, I get batting at different junctures of the game. Whenever I get batting earlier, my aim is to take singles and doubles and attack the bad balls.”
“When I come to bat with 2-3 overs left, my aim is to hit more fours and sixes. My main aim is to collect more and more runs for the team.”
Singh revealed that the wicket was initially challenging, but he adjusted his batting accordingly. “When the match started, the ball was not coming properly on to the bat. When Sanju (Samson) and Surya bhai got out then Reddy told me that ball phass rahi hai (the ball is sticking on the wicket).”
“I batted accordingly and then the wicket got a little better. We were discussing that we should get a (good) partnership first and get the momentum. We started with singles and then Reddy hit sixes and the momentum changed.”
Singh, who will next feature in the Ranji Trophy, expressed his desire to play in all three formats of the game. “I do see myself as an all format player, wherever I get the opportunity I will play,” he said.
The third and final T20I between India and Bangladesh will be played in Hyderabad on Saturday.
