Internet erupts as Gambhir and Agarkar face backlash over KKR star’s exclusion from India’s T20I squad against South Africa

The recent exclusion of Rinku Singh from India’s T20I squad against South Africa has ignited a fervent discussion on social media. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad on December 3, 2025, featuring some notable changes. Singh, alongside players Yashasvi Jaiswal and Nitish Reddy, has been left out to make room for the return of Hardik Pandya and the inclusion of Shubman Gill, whose fitness remains under scrutiny.

Rinku Singh’s Performance and Impact

Rinku Singh, 28, has established himself as a key player in domestic cricket, particularly noted for his performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL). In the 2025 season, he scored a total of 206 runs at an average of 29.43. While Singh did not achieve any centuries or fifties, his striking performance in the UPT20 league saw him averaging 62 across nine innings, including a century. Additionally, his remarkable form in the Ranji Elite 2025-26 season, boasting a staggering average of 341 and two centuries, highlights his potential as a premier finisher.

Social Media Backlash

Singh’s omission has drawn widespread criticism from cricket fans and analysts alike, with many expressing their frustration on platforms like X. Some notable reactions include:

• “GG is stuck with his all-rounders obsession and guess what he dropped Rinku Singh from T20I now.” – @thecricketwood
• “Rinku over any finisher. Poor guy deserves a spot for sure.” – @akshaynatarajan
• “What wrong did he really do? Gautam Gambhir & Ajit Agarkar are scumbags.” – @Vipul_Espeaks
• “Why no Rinku Singh with a 40+ average and 160+ strike rate??” – @Xotic_CS

Many fans argued that selecting numerous all-rounders at the expense of a specialized finisher like Singh could undermine India’s preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2026.

India’s T20I Squad vs South Africa

The following players have been selected for the T20I series against South Africa:

• Suryakumar Yadav (Captain)
• Shubman Gill (Vice-Captain)*
• Abhishek Sharma
• Tilak Varma
• Hardik Pandya
• Shivam Dube
• Axar Patel
• Jitesh Sharma (Wicket-Keeper)
• Sanju Samson (Wicket-Keeper)
• Jasprit Bumrah
• Varun Chakaravarthy
• Arshdeep Singh
• Kuldeep Yadav
• Harshit Rana
• Washington Sundar

As the cricket community reacts, it remains to be seen how this squad will fare against South Africa and whether Singh will have future opportunities to showcase his talent on the international stage.