"I would rather have him than Gill" - Former pacer's stunning statement after India announce squad for 2026 T20 World Cup

Former Indian pacer Atul Wassan backed the management's decision to include middle-order batter Rinku Singh in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. The 28-year-old has been in and out of the Indian T20I lineup, playing only five games this year.

Rinku was not part of the Indian side that just completed a 3-1 T20I series win over South Africa. Yet, a day after the series finished, the southpaw earned a place in the World Cup squad, surprising a few pundits and fans.

Rinku was not part of India's victorious 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, a move that was then heavily criticized.

Talking about his inclusion in the squad for the upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup, Wassan told ANI:

"I think this is well done. I think it's a brilliant selection, and hence, I say that Rinku Singh is back because he is the kind of player we have to invest in. He is a fearless guy. He has won us matches. He is that kind of guy. I would rather have him than Gill in the current situation."

Despite his limited appearances recently, Rinku still boasts an excellent T20I record with an average of 42.30 and a strike rate of 161.76 in 35 matches.

"The guy is back from the wilderness" - Atul Wassan on Ishan Kishan's inclusion

Atul Wassan backed India for their surprising move to include wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The 27-year-old has not played an international match in any format since November 2023.

However, he impressed in the recently concluded 2025-26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, finishing as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 517 runs at an average of 57.44 and a strike rate of over 197 in 10 games.

"Wonderful. I think the guy is back from the wilderness, and I don't know what's been transpiring in the West Indies since he was dumped. This happens in Indian cricket. You know, a lot of noise, and if somebody is seen as cocky, maybe he is not because he is a kind of different man, and we have to respect that," said Wassan (via the aforementioned source).

Wassan concluded:

"He is a good player, but he had to go back, perform, and bulldoze his way back. Well done, and I am really impressed, and he is the guy who is going to be our match-winner."

Batting aside, Kishan also captained Jharkhand in the SMAT tournament, leading his side to their maiden trophy.

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Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran