Not just a T20 specialist: Rinku Singh puts his hand up for Test cricket

India middle-order batter Rinku Singh does not want to be pigeonholed as a T20 specialist. Speaking on the sidelines of the UP T20 League, Rinku said he enjoys playing red-ball cricket and that his dream is to play Test cricket for the Indian team.

The left-hander was named in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad despite a string of low scores in recent matches. While the selection was seen as a strong vote of confidence from the Indian management, Rinku insisted he can contribute to the national team across all formats.

“I know fans love it when I hit sixes, and I’m really grateful for that. But my Ranji Trophy average is also very good — I average over 55 there. I really enjoy playing red-ball cricket. I’ve also played two ODIs for India and did well in one of them,” Rinku told the Times of India in an interview.

Rinku made his ODI debut during India’s tour of South Africa following the 2023 World Cup. He played two matches and scored 55 runs. The batter also has an impressive record in List A cricket, where he has scored 1,997 runs in 62 matches.

His red-ball numbers are equally solid, with 3,336 runs at an average of 54.68 in first-class cricket.

“It’s not like I’m only a T20 player. I believe I can perform in every format if I get the chance. I don’t like being tagged as a one-format player; I see myself as an all-format player. My dream is to play Test cricket for India, and if I get the opportunity, I’ll be ready to grab it,” Rinku added.

While Test cricket remains a long-term ambition, Rinku’s immediate goal is to cement his spot in India’s squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup. The upcoming Asia Cup is expected to play a significant role in shaping his short-term future, as India prepare to defend their continental title.

“Yes, my dream is to be part of the World Cup squad and to hold that trophy. I keep praying to God for that. If I perform well in the upcoming series, things will become clearer for the World Cup. That’s my ultimate aim — to do well for my country in the Asia Cup, and I’m confident I will deliver,” Rinku concluded.