New Delhi. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly believes that Kolkata Knight Riders should send vice-captain Rinku Singh higher up the batting order so that the team’s batting problems can be reduced, which is going on in IPL 2026. KKR, who have been champions three times, are yet to win a single match in three matches this season, and the one point they have has come against Punjab Kings due to rain. Ganguly also praised the bowling of Mohammed Shami.
Ganguly said at the launch of the third edition of Bengal Pro T20 League, ‘Rahane is the captain of Knight Riders, and I think Rinku bats very low. He’s a better player than that, and hopefully the team finds a way to move him up. Apart from Rahane and Rinku, Lucknow Super Giants fast bowler Mohammed Shami was also present on the stage. Rinku had performed brilliantly in IPL 2023 and became the only batsman to hit five sixes in the last over in the win against Gujarat Titans. Rinku also played an important role in KKR’s title win in IPL 2024.
Shami should play for India
Ganguly paid attention to Shami and asked him to make a comeback for India and bowl with Jasprit Bumrah. Ganguly said, ‘He should bowl from the other end to Bumrah and not anywhere else. He is so good. We saw his bowling against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Nine runs in four overs, against two of the best T20 players, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. That was fantastic. Shami was adjudged player of the match for his figures of 2/9 in four overs.
Shami capitalized on every opportunity
Ganguly said, ‘He performed well for Bengal in Ranji Trophy. I remember that semi-final, even though Bengal lost, he took eight wickets. He was important in taking the team there. I am happy that he wants to play in Ranji Trophy. It is difficult for a fast bowler, but it is the best to see Mohammed Shami running with the new ball. Ganguly said Shami looks at the top of fitness. ‘I still think he should play for India. Hopefully his time will come again because he is so good. When the ball comes straight down the seam, it is fun to watch. He looks fit and sharp. By bowling continuously you become in your best form. No training match can match that. I wish him all the best and want him to play for India again. Shami took 37 wickets in this season’s Ranji Trophy, the average was 16.72. However, he is not in the selectors’ favor right now.
use rinku properly
This season, KKR has kept Rahane in the opening along with Finn Allen. The team’s most expensive foreign player Cameron Green (Rs 25.20 crore) was sent to number 3, while in-form Angkrish Raghuvanshi was kept behind. Green has not started bowling yet and has been able to score only 18, 2 and 4 runs in the IPL. Rinku mostly bats at number 5. He scored unbeaten 33 runs in 21 balls against Mumbai Indians and scored 35 runs in 25 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but the team could not chase the target of 227 runs.
