Rinku Singh locks down India’s finisher role ahead of T20 World Cup 2026, as Jitesh Sharma makes way in the setup.
When Team India announced their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, a few selections immediately sparked debate. The most notable was the omission of Shubman Gill, dropped after an extended run of low scores. His absence opens the door once again for Sanju Samson to reclaim the opening slot, with Ishan Kishan named in the squad as the backup keeper-opener.
The exclusion that raised more eyebrows, however, was that of Jitesh Sharma. The wicketkeeper-batter had done little wrong in recent outings, remaining sharp behind the stumps with several standout catches and stumpings, while also contributing valuable finishing cameos down the order. Despite that, the selectors opted for Rinku Singh as the designated finished in the XI, prioritising late-innings power over an additional keeping option.
Here’s how Rinku Singh and Jitesh Sharma have fared in T20Is overall as finishers:
| Strike Rate | Average | Matches | |
| Rinku Singh | 161.76 | 42.30 | 35 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 151.40 | 18.00 | 16 |
Rinku has played more than double the matches compared to Jitesh, and has done his job as a finisher, averaging 42.30 and striking at 161.76 in 35 matches. Jitesh is not far behind, striking at 151.40 and averaging 18 in 16 matches.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2026: Gill & Jitesh make way for Rinku & Kishan in India’s squad
Performance in matches (Won)
| Matches Won | Strike Rate | Average | Matches |
| Rinku Singh | 163.15 | 40.30 | 27 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 154.02 | 19.14 | 12 |
In terms of won matches, Rinku (163.15) fares slightly better than Jitesh (154.02) in terms of strike rate, and also averages an impressive 40.30 compared to 19.14 by the keeper-batter. It implies Rinku ensures he mostly stays unbeaten till the end to finish the innings on a high, or wrap up a chase. In other words, Rinku scores 40 runs in the death overs, double the number of runs Jitesh scores.
Pace vs spin (since their T20I debut)
| Pace | Spin | |||
| Strike Rate | Average | Strike Rate | Average | |
| Rinku Singh | 201.37 | 36.75 | 155.56 | 28.00 |
| Jitesh Sharma | 171.05 | 21.67 | 100.00 | 5.00 |
A comparison of the two players’ numbers against death-over bowling since their respective T20I debuts offers insight into the selector’s thinking. In the closing overs, teams invariably turn to their best pace bowlers to prevent the batting side from pulling away – making a finisher’s effectiveness against fast bowling a critical metric.
In this regard, Rinku Singh holds a clear edge. Against pacers in the death overs, he strikes at 201.37 and averages 36.75, reflecting both control and sustained aggression. Jitesh Sharma, meanwhile, strikes at 171.05 with an average of 21.67 in the same phase. The contrast highlights Rinku’s superior ability to impose himself on frontline pace at the most demanding stage of an innings – a trait that allows India to consistently extract extra runs when margins are tight.
Read More: Time for India to rope in in-form opening partner for Abhishek Sharma in T20Is
Domestic performances
Rinku has been extremely consistent in the domestic scene, whenever he is not playing for India. In the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rinku’s last three scores read 67, 106 not out, and 63. He blasted 60-ball 106 not out against Chandigarh while batting at No 5. Rinku has ensured his performance speaks for itself and is the criterion for national selection.
Before the South Africa T20I series, Jitesh too played a few vital cameos in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring 86 runs in his last five T20s in the competition, with the highest score of 41. But Rinku, as a pure finisher, was a revelation in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
Why Rinku Singh over Jitesh Sharma
As selectors opted for an opener plus keeper in Ishan Kishan as a back-up for first-choice Samson in the XI, adding another keeper in Jitesh would have been a luxury. Hence, a specialist finisher would have made a better choice, considering how Rinku has time and again proved himself as a finisher for India in T20Is before.
Besides, his current form speaks for itself and justifies his inclusion. Also, stats show Rinku has been excellent as a finisher in the death overs, has carried the team through in won matches, and also played both spin and pace effectively during this phase. He has been the best finisher for India in T20Is across all parameters ahead of Jitesh, who has been unlucky to miss out on the bus to the T20 World Cup squad.
Read More: How teams have batted phase-wise in T20Is post T20 WC 2024 (Test-playing nations)
