Rinku Singh Scores Second Ranji Trophy Ton as Fans Blast BCCI
Back to Back Ranji Trophy Centuries
Rinku Singh has scored consecutive centuries in Ranji Trophy 2026-27 for Uttar Pradesh to reaffirm his first-class credentials. The left-handed batter scored 112 against Bihar and followed it up with an unbeaten 118 against Goa in Kanpur. Displaying remarkable temperament, Rinku compiled an unbeaten 118 off 186 balls against Goa in Kanpur on Sunday. The resolute century rescued Uttar Pradesh from a disastrous top-order collapse on the opening day of their Elite Group A encounter. Rinku struck 11 fours and two sixes, holding the UP batting line-up together after the team opted to bat first on a testing surface.
Top Order Collapse and Lone Resistance
Uttar Pradesh were reduced to 33 for three after Abhishek Goswami, Aryan Juyal, and Karan Sharma fell cheaply. Abhishek Goswami, Aryan Juyal, and Karan Sharma departed cheaply against disciplined seam bowling from Goa. Top-order batter Madhav Kaushik offered resistance with a 96-ball 45 before falling to Shubham Tari, leaving Uttar Pradesh struggling at 90 for four. Rinku Singh scored an unbeaten 118 to help Uttar Pradesh recover from an early collapse and post a fighting team total. He held the innings together as wickets continued to fall at the other end with virtually no support from the lower order. Farming the strike through the tail, Rinku helped his team cross the 200-run mark in the first innings before UP were bowled out for 202.
Public Outcry Over National Selection Omission
Following the landmark domestic innings, passionate fans on social media blasted the BCCI and questioned the selectors for ignoring the player. The southpaw has been out of the national team setup since the Zimbabwe T20I series and was also excluded from the New Zealand tour. Supporters pointed out that the prolific middle-order batter has amassed exceptional red-ball numbers while maintaining an average hovering near 60. Cricket enthusiasts highlighted that Rinku has recorded four centuries and two half-centuries across his recent Ranji Trophy appearances. Supporters criticized the senior selection committee for continually overlooking first-class red-ball performers in favour of limited-overs specialists. Observers argued that elite red-ball pedigree and domestic consistency warrant immediate inclusion in India's Test match squad framework.
His sequence of scores in his final eight innings featured multiple large totals, lifting his overall average to 61.33 across seventy-eight innings and bringing his career tally of first-class centuries to eleven.
Match Outlook and Goa First Innings Reply
Goa commenced their first-innings reply cautiously following Uttar Pradesh's dismissal for 202 runs on the opening afternoon. The visiting openers negotiated probing spells under fading light to reach 43 without loss by the conclusion of play. Rinku Singh's defiant century remains the defining individual performance of the opening day, keeping Uttar Pradesh competitive in the contest.
Goa finished the opening day at 43 without loss trailing by 159 runs, while Goa leg-spinner Yash Kasvankar claimed five wickets for 86 runs in 25 overs.