Rinku Singh admitted there was pressure on him after being in and out of the Indian team, but his match-tilting 44 not out off 20 balls in the first T20I against New Zealand showed why he remains one of the most reliable finishers in world cricket. The left-hander’s couple of sixes and fours in the 20th over off part-timer Daryl Mitchell gave India a crucial cushion as they posted 238 for seven, a total that proved way out of reach for the Black Caps.

Rinku’s long wait to return

Rinku’s last appearance for India before Wednesday night came on November 8 in Brisbane during the T20 series against Australia, where he did not get to bat. Before that, his most recent contribution was hitting the Asia Cup-winning four off the only ball he faced in September. With Shubman Gill firm at the top of the order, it had become difficult to accommodate Rinku in the playing eleven, leaving him to warm the bench for months.

Now with Gill out of the side, the management can give wicketkeeper Sanju Samson an extended run as an opener, creating more room for Rinku to be the finisher in the lower order alongside Hardik Pandya.

Why India needs Rinku as finisher

India spin great R Ashwin explained the logic behind Rinku’s recall on his YouTube channel after Rinku was named in the T20 World Cup squad. “We are all aware of Hardik’s exceptional finishing abilities. (Shivam) Dube is not a finisher, he is a spin enforcer. Now with Sanju Samson locked at the top of the order and with Ishan Kishan back as the wicketkeeper batter, what is left? You need a finisher with Hardik in the death overs. Who can do it better than Rinku?” Ashwin said.

He added that while Jitesh Sharma is a monster hitter against spinners, Rinku has great numbers and pedigree against fast bowling towards the end of innings, which is why the team management has gone back to him.

Staggering death-overs numbers

Rinku’s numbers in overs 19-20 are remarkable. In the 36 T20s he has been part of, Rinku has hammered 213 runs off 74 balls in overs 19 and 20 with a sensational strike rate of 287.83. He has smashed 22 sixes in that make-or-break stage of the game. Considering his prowess as a finisher, more than 35 percent of his career runs have come in the last two overs of the innings.

What is remarkable is Rinku’s ability to get going from ball one, especially against fast bowlers, relying on conventional strokeplay to get the job done in the death overs.

Stoic under pressure

Reflecting on his high-pressure knock on Wednesday night, Rinku was stoic as usual. “There was pressure on me as I was in and out of the team. The plan was to take singles, doubles and in between hit the boundary. Also to stay till the end and finish it off. That’s what I did,” said the left-hander.

Even when Arshdeep Singh played three dot balls in the penultimate over, Rinku did not feel frustration at the other end. He knew he could inflict damage in the final over, and that composure defines his approach as a finisher. India would need his special finishing skills and calibrated calm in defending the World Cup starting next month.