Indian player Rinku Singh reveals Dravid’s message ahead of India’s South Africa tour which is the next assignment of the Indian side.
Rinku Singh reveals Dravid’s message
The middle order batsman Rinku Singh feels that the pitch conditions on South Africa ground with extra pace and bounce which requires more effort and practice to get used to the conditions.
India is scheduled to play in two tests, three ODIs, and three T20s against the South Africa tour. It’s been almost three weeks since India suffered a defeat in the World Cup finals. The Cricket world has eyed the upcoming T20 World Cup next June.
With only six T20I matches for India’s side before the ICC event, India is preparing to play in the South Africa tour. The Suryakumar-led side will be missing the actions of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, and Virat Kohli in the T20I and ODI series against South Africa and will be featuring only in the Test series.
With the availability of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the T20 World Cup is not yet clear, the T20I series against Proteas men also leaves the question unanswered.
On this occasion, Rinku Singh revealed the head coach Rahul Dravid’s message before the South Africa tour.
“When I battered here today, there was extra bounce here compared to Indian wickets.”The pace is a bit more, so will practice against pace bowling.”
He said that Dravid asked him to play his natural game and bat at No.5 or 6.
“The first practice session, I enjoyed it a lot because of the fine weather. Getting the opportunity to work with Rahul Dravid sir, so that was a good feeling. He told me to continue playing the way I do and continue believing in myself,” Rinku told BCCI.
“(He told me) to keep playing at No. 5 or 6. It is tough to play in that position, but keep pushing yourself and believe in yourself.”
“I have been playing for UP since 2013 at No. 5 or 6. So, I have got used to that position. I keep backing myself to play in that position because it is very tough to play in that position if 4-5 wickets are down,” Rinku said.
“Then you have to build a partnership. So I keep telling myself, the more I can keep myself calm, the better it is (for me), and not to react,” said Rinku.
“We 4-5 players remain in a group. Me, Ravi (Bishnoi), Arshdeep (Singh), Avesh (Khan), Jitesh (Sharma). We enjoy each other’s company, which is very important in cricket.”
India and South Africa will be playing their first T20I match on December 10 at Kingsmead Cricket Ground.
