India are coming off the back of a 76-run loss against South Africa, and would now need to win their next two games to stand a chance of qualifying for the semi-final. Hence, this match is a must-win. Rinku Singh has also left the Indian squad owing to a family emergency. Hence, in the upcoming game, India might need to replace him in the playing XI. Sanju Samson has been rumoured to be included to bolster the batting, but Ravi Shastri has backed someone else.

Speaking on the ICC Review Show, Ravi Shastri said that India need to bring Axar Patel back into the playing XI, after he missed the game vs South Africa. In fact, Shastri batted for both Axar and Washington Sundar in the playing XI. This is because, if any of the bowlers have an off day, then one of the two can come in.

"I think they have to bring him (Axar Patel) back. You need that experience. I would say play both (Patel and Sundar). Give yourself that extra option. Because on a given day, you're bound to have one bowler who's going to have an off day. Like, for example, Varun Chakravarthy on Sunday. He was not at his best, and he paid the price for it," Ravi Shastri said.

"Now, if eight batters can't do the job in T20 cricket, then something's wrong, especially with that kind of firepower. Where you're missing out is you're not giving yourself that extra option of a bowler, which I think is important. Rinku Singh might have to miss out. But if he has to come in, he has to come in place of a specialist batter,"" the former India head coach added.

 

Why Rinku Singh Could Miss Match Vs Zimbabwe

According to a report by NDTV, Rinku Singh had to leave the squad in the middle of the T20 World Cup 2026 because his father is suffering from stage 4 liver cancer. He is currently in the hospital on ventilator support, and hence is with his family to support them during this crucial time.

However, there is no certainty on when Rinku would return to join the squad, meaning that there is no suereity on whether he would play the game vs Zimbabwe.