"I have talked a lot regarding this with Mahi bhai" - Rinku Singh opens up on bailing India out of trouble in IND vs BAN 2nd T20I 2024
After India's second T20I against Bangladesh in Delhi on October 9, Rinku Singh said conversations with former captain MS Dhoni have helped him remain calm in tough situations. After brushing aside the visitors with ease in the first T20I in Gwalior, the Men in Blue were in early trouble at 41/3 in the sixth over when Rinku walked out to bat during the second match.
However, the 26-year-old showed no signs of panic and combined with Nitish Reddy to add a game-changing 108 runs off 48 deliveries for the fourth wicket to bail India out.
Rinku finished with 53 off 29 balls, including five boundaries and three maximums, to help India post a massive 221/9 in their 20 overs.
Speaking at the post-match presentation about his crucial knock, Rinku said (as quoted by Cricbuzz):
"I keep telling myself to remain calm in tough situations. It comes naturally to me as I have been playing at this position for a long time. I practise accordingly as well. I have talked a lot regarding this with Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni) which has helped. When you lose 3-4 wickets, you need to have self belief."
He added:
"We ((partnership with Nitish Kumar) just wanted to build a partnership as the wicket was slightly slow, rotate strike and punish the bad balls. The momentum swung after that free-hit (off Mahmudullah) and Nitish gained a lot of confidence."
While Nitish finished with 74 from 34 deliveries in only his second outing for India, Rinku Singh's half-century was his third in T20Is.
The southpaw averages a stunning 58.87 in 25 T20I games at a strike rate of 175.09.
Rinku Singh's heroics propel India to a crushing series victory
After Rinku Singh and Nitish Reddy's onslaught, the Indian bowlers dismantled the Bangladesh batting lineup in the second innings.
The visitors started positively at 20/0 in the third over before Arshdeep Singh struck to open the floodgates. It was one-way traffic from that moment as India reduced Bangladesh to a dismal 46/4 in the seventh over.
A brief partnership between Mahmudullah and Mehidy Hasan gave Bangladesh a glimmer of hope before another flurry of wickets sealed their fate.
The hosts eventually restricted Bangladesh to 135/9 in 20 overs to complete a comprehensive 86-run victory. India took an unassailable 2-0 series lead and will look to whitewash the visitors with a win in the final T20I in Hyderabad on Saturday, October 12.