Although there was a lot of conjecture around Hardik Pandya's selection for the T20 World Cup in 2024, the Indian cricket team selectors named the all-rounder vice-captain, demonstrating their confidence in him. Rinku Singh was left out after they chose to go with Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja as their spin alternatives. Former India manager and left-arm spinner for Tamil Nadu Sunil Subramanian stated in an interview with Times of India that he feels India should have fielded Rinku instead of choosing one less spin-bowling all-round player. He added that the team would have been more balanced at the World Cup if fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed had been selected rather than Hardik Pandya.
“India may have picked one spin-bowling allrounder too many. Rinku Singh for Axar and Khaleel Ahmed for vice-captain Hardik would have balanced the side better. There is no way both wrist spinners will play, especially in Nassau County in New York. It is a Mickey Mouse ground with the straight boundary being 55 meters only. Also, it is a drop-in pitch. Against Pakistan, they may play with only one spinner and that could be Jadeja as they may want to pack the side with pacers who can execute Yorkers,” he said.
Although Kuldeep and Chahal's combination has generated a lot of excitement, Subramanian thinks it is very improbable that they will be selected for the same squad.
“Only if they are in a must-win situation. If Hardik is unable to bowl four overs and if one of the pacers gets hit, that may happen. But only in the West Indies leg of the tournament. The only other way to play both wrist spinners is by dropping Jaiswal and opening with Kohli and Rohit. They will not do that. They will err on the side of caution,” he further added.