India National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Match: India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed on Wednesday that Rinku Singh will rejoin the squad later in the evening ahead of the team’s T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, February 25, 2026. “Rinku Singh is coming back this evening. His father was unwell, so he went back home. Hopefully, he will join us today,” Kotak said while speaking at the pre-match press conference.
Rinku was absent from India’s training session Tuesday after leaving the squad to attend to a family emergency. Reports indicated the left-handed batter had traveled home to be with his father, whose health had deteriorated amid long-term cancer treatment.
Rinku has struggled for form in the tournament. The 28-year-old has scored 24 runs in five matches at an average of 8.00 and a strike rate of 82.75. His best effort was an unbeaten 11 off four balls against Pakistan in Colombo. He was also dismissed for a duck against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium. It remains unclear whether Rinku will be considered for selection in the playing XI against Zimbabwe. If Rinku is unavailable against Zimbabwe, India could consider bringing in Axar Patel to strengthen the batting depth and provide an additional bowling option.
India’s semifinal hopes suffered a setback after a 76-run loss to South Africa in its opening Super 8 match, the team’s largest defeat in World Cup history. India is currently third in Group 1 behind West Indies and South Africa, with a net run rate of minus-3.800.
To qualify for the semifinals, India must defeat Zimbabwe and West Indies. It would also benefit if South Africa wins its remaining Super 8 matches, which would leave South Africa on six points and India on four.
If qualification is determined by net run rate, India will likely need large-margin victories in its remaining matches. There remains a slim mathematical chance of progressing with two points, but that scenario would depend on multiple favorable results and a significant improvement in net run rate.
