T20 World Cup 2026: Rinku Singh doubtful for India vs Zimbabwe match due to family emergency

India batter Rinku Singh is highly unlikely to be with the side in their upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 match against Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26, which will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Multiple media reports have suggested that Rinku was not present at the ground with the Indian team in their practice session in Chepauk ahead of the clash.

Further details of Rinku's departure from Chennai to his hometown in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, are unknown, but the BCCI is unlikely to disclose the reasoning, given the privacy of the matter. If Rinku is indeed unavailable for the clash against the Chevrons, the Men in Blue will enter the game with a forced change to their Playing XI at Chepauk. In that case, vice-captain Axar Patel may be seen making a return.

Rinku has been a mainstay in India's line-up for the last few months ever since his dramatic comeback to the T20I squad. His batting in the New Zealand series remained impressive, but he hasn't carried the same form forward into the T20 World Cup. In the most recent outing against South Africa, Rinku registered a silver duck, while India lost their first match of their title-defending campaign.

Apart from Rinku's forced ouster, India may also make changes to the top order with Sanju Samson likely to replace Tilak Varma at No. 3. Tilak has remained out of touch in the tournament, and Samson's experience at that position in the IPL for the Rajasthan Royals over the years has made the management mull over the possibility. Samson produced 22 off eight in his only chance in this tournament, which came against Namibia in New Delhi. 

India squad: Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Axar Patel (vice-captain), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh (unavailable), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj