India’s approach under Gautam Gambhir has been all-aggressive, as Bangladesh experienced in Delhi on October 9. After inserting India into batting first at the high-scoring Arun Jaitley Stadium, Bangladesh saw first-hand how aggressive India was with the bat. 

Despite losing three wickets after just 41 runs on board, India rode on the back of a 108-run partnership between Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rinku Singh, which helped them get to 221 after 20 overs. While Nitish scored a 34-ball 74, Rinku scored a fantastic 29-ball 53. 

In the post-match press conference, Rinku revealed that both the captain – Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gambhir – wanted the team to keep being aggressive. 

“Coach and captain has asked us to play our game, whatever the situation is. Maarte jao har ball ko (Just keep hitting every ball). I have been told to back myself and hit the ball. Gautam bhai has given us the freedom,” Rinku revealed. 

“There was no anxiety. The way team was playing, our matches were getting over early. Important was to win,” he said.

On his own batting, Rinku admitted that there’s no set batting order; rather, the situation dictates when the left-hander walks out to bat. 

“My batting order is such that there is no fixed time when I will come to bat. When the wicket falls early, then, my plan is to keep the scoreboard ticking with ones and twos and wait for the poor balls to cash in. If when only two and three overs are needed, I try to score as many runs as possible and hit fours and sixes,” he said.

But the biggest reveal of the press conference was Rinku admitting that he sees himself as a three-format player. While Rinku might have gotten the limelight because of his Indian Premier League (IPL) exploits, the Uttar Pradesh batter has a stellar first-class record (3179 runs @53.88)

“I will not get enough chance to prepare for the Ranji Trophy match. October 12 is our last match. I will get a couple of days. It is very tough to play red ball after playing the white-ball. When I will go to Lucknow, I will bat more in the nets,” he said.

“I see myself as a three-format player. Jahaan mauka milega wahaan khelenge (wherever I will get the chance I will play),” he concluded.

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