Full freedom, play your game: Rinku Singh's life under Gambhir-Suryakumar

Rinku Singh has opened up about his life under the Gautam Gambhir-Suryakumar Yadav regime and claimed that both the coach and captain have given the team full freedom. Rinku scored a match-winning fifty in Delhi on October 9.

In Short

• Rinku hit 53 off 29 balls in the 2nd T20I
• Rinku Singh said that Gambhir and Suryakumar have given players full freedom
• Rinku said that the ball was gripping on the wicket

Rinku Singh has claimed that coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav has given the team to play with full freedom and back their natural game after the 2nd T20I win over Bangladesh on October 9, Wednesday. Rinku produced a stunning 29-ball 53 that was laced with some elegant and destructive shots that helped India register a mamooth total of 221.

Rinku also had a match-winning 108-run stand with Nitish Kumar Reddy, that saved India from a precarious spot. Bangladesh were unable to mount a challenge in the run chase as India won the game by 86 runs to clinch the series. Speaking after the game at the press conference, Rinku said that both Gambhir and Suryakumar have told him to play his natural game, irrespective of the situation.

"Both the coach and the captain have always told me to play my natural game, no matter the situation of the match. They’ve given us full freedom to back our shots and hit every ball with confidence," said Rinku.

The ball was gripping on the wicket

Rinku came in when India were 41 for 3, having lost both the openers and captain Suryakumar. The southpaw said that the ball was gripping on the wicket and he was informed about it by Nitish. Rinku said he decided to play according to the track at first and then switched gears as the pitch got better for batting.

The star batter pointed out Nitish's six off the free hit from Mahmudullah changed the momentum for the hosts in the end.

"When the match started, the ball was gripping on the wicket, especially after we lost three wickets. When I went out to bat after Sanju Bhaiya and Surya Bhaiya got out, the ball was gripping on the deliveries they were out to. So, when I entered to bat, Reddy Bhai informed me that the ball was gripping, and I played accordingly in the beginning. Later, the wicket improved, and we discussed focusing on building a partnership and hitting bad balls to maintain momentum. The free hit Reddy Bhai got helped us gain momentum from there," said Rinku.

India and Rinku will aim to sweep the series 3-0 as they head to Hyderabad for the final match of the series on October 12.