Rinku Singh is an enigmatic cricketer who can single-handedly win any match. He embodies the dreams of every rural Indian player to make it to the highest level and is a living symbol of the belief that you should never give up on trusting your abilities. He started getting attention with his impressive performances for Uttar Pradesh (UP) and was later snapped up by KKR in the 2018 IPL auction. In the 18 innings since then, Rinku has become a cult hero, thanks to some spectacular displays of batting excellence.
Let’s look at 3 such instances:
1) 42* (23) against RR, IPL 2022
KKR was facing the tough task of reaching the 153-run target on a wicket that was proving tricky due to varying speeds. Their situation looked difficult, with 96 runs on the scoreboard at the end of the 13th over. However, the chase was always going to be demanding with KKR’s unreliable batting and RR’s powerful bowling lineup. Rinku Singh then stepped up, looking to prove himself with his limited chances up until now. With a mix of caution and controlled aggression, he selected the bowlers and overs perfectly to attack. He didn’t fail to impress, ultimately proving he belonged at this level.
2) 40 (15) against LSG, IPL 2022
KKR’s hopes of making the IPL 2022 playoffs seemed lost, with their target of 211 an impossible task at 142/5 in 15.4 overs. But Rinku Singh and Sunil Narine kept their dreams alive by smashing boundaries and reducing the equation to 21 runs off 6 balls. However, Evin Lewis put paid to those hopes with a screamer at the death, eventually resulting in LSG winning by two runs in an epic thriller.
Rinku Singh knocked a four followed by two sixes and a double on the first four balls of the last over. This brought the equation to an easy three-off two deliveries, with four wickets still standing. Unfortunately, a stunning one-handed catch from Evin Lewis near the deep backward point region saw Rinku’s valiant 40 runs off 15 balls brought to an end.
3) 48* (21) against GT, IPL 2023
Rinku Singh stunned audiences as he lifted his team to victory in a heart-stopping finish. Chasing 205 against Gujarat Titans, KKR was left with fifty runs needed off the last four overs when Rashid Khan’s hat-trick knocked down their lineup. With Rinku batting on three off six balls, the odds of winning looked slim. But in an improbable and inspiring feat, Rinku smacked thirty runs off of five deliveries in the final over, sending five sixes in a row and leaving people saying, “Remember the name, Rinku Singh!”
