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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) legend Suresh Raina has opined that Rinku Singh is unlikely to get a place in the Indian playing XI for the fifth T20I against Australia. He wondered whether a place could be created for the middle-order batter, as the incumbent players are performing well.The final T20I of the five-match series between India and Australia will be played in Brisbane on Saturday, November 8. The visitors registered a 48-run win in the penultimate game in Gold Coast on Thursday (November 6) to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series.During a discussion on Star Sports, Raina was asked whether Rinku could get a chance in the final T20I against Australia."After this win, I think they will go for a win in the next game. I don't know where Rinku Singh can get a place. We haven't lost a series Down Under after 2008. I feel the confidence you will carry forward into the upcoming matches after winning the series will be extremely important," he responded.The former India batter reckoned the Men in Blue would field the same playing XI, with Rinku getting a look-in only if there is an injury."Rinku is definitely in the Indian selectors and coaches' scheme of things, but Jitesh Sharma played well in the last match. Washington Sundar played well again today (Thursday). I feel they can play this match with the same team, unless someone has an injury. Then you can give Rinku a chance. However, I feel it will be the same playing XI," Raina observed.Rinku Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy are the only two Indian squad members yet to feature in the T20I series against Australia. The latter was ruled out of the first three games after complaining of neck spasms while recovering from a left quadriceps injury sustained during the preceding ODI series."Rinku Singh will get opportunities before the World Cup" - Parthiv Patel on batter ahead of AUS vs IND 2025 5th T20IRinku Singh (right) last played for India in the Asia Cup 2025 final. [P/C: Getty]Speaking on Star Sports, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel opined that Rinku Singh would get opportunities before next year's T20 World Cup, even if he doesn't get a chance in the final T20I against Australia."The World Cup will definitely be on the Indian team's mind, but giving opportunities to players will not be a priority. Obviously, Rinku Singh will get opportunities before the World Cup. You might see it in the next match or in the South Africa matches," he said.The Gujarat Titans (GT) assistant coach urged the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter to remain patient, highlighting that players who are part of the XI are equally capable."It's not like Rinku will keep sitting out till the World Cup. He needs to be a little patient because he is a quality player. However, whether it is Tests, ODIs, we talk more about whichever player is not playing, but whoever is playing is an equally capable player and is winning us matches. So, be patient, you will get opportunities," Parthiv observed.Rinku Singh has scored 550 runs at a strike rate of 161.76 in 25 T20I innings. However, he has played only four T20Is this year, aggregating 43 runs at a strike rate of 130.30 in three innings.
