Dinesh Karthik has revealed some juicy details about Rinku Singh’s connection with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) assistant coach Abhishek Nayar. Karthik, a former KKR captain, recalled Nayar’s support for Rinku and his belief that time and fine-tuning could enable him achieve “really special” things.
The remarks followed Rinku’s 14-ball 22 that helped India chase down 209 in a bilateral T20I against Australia in Vishakhapatnam. He absorbed the strain and chose his moments to push limits to help India win.
Abhishek Nayar, one of the announcers, hugged him at the boundary lines as he came from the crease, and the footage of the encounter went viral on social media.
“This is one of the most fulfilling and heart warming pictures going around,” Karthik said in a post on X. “The relationship between ABHISHEK NAYAR n RINKU SINGH … it was a partnership that started in 2018 during my time in KKR. Nayar always saw the potential in Rinku , he kept telling me, it was only a matter of time before he did something really special.”
Dinesh Karthik
Dinesh Karthik further stated that Nayar assisted Rinku in “thinking big” and honing his death-over-hitting talents. When the Aligarh-born player tore his ACL in 2021, Nayar persuaded KKR co-owner Venky Mysore to keep him on the squad.
“He stayed in nayars house post IPL for many months for Rehab and started working on his batting and had a stellar domestic season and then eventually did what Nayar and kkr always thought he could do , a MATCH WINNING FINISHER.”
Dinesh Karthik
After a 21-ball 38 against Ireland and an unbeaten 15-ball 37 against Nepal earlier this year, this was his third such innings for India.
“Must be a surreal feeling” – Dinesh Karthik
The former KKR captain went on to say that seeing images of the hug made him happy for Nayar as a coach and broadcaster.
“And today when I see this photo, i just feel like NAYAR as a coach has grown in stature and can share the happiness he feels for Rinku along with the rest of the world. Must be a surreal feeling seeing one of your students do well at a world stage and also be lucky enough to watch it live as a broadcaster and call the moment Well done @abhisheknayar1 and @rinkusingh235. To many more such stories ❤️????????????????.”
Dinesh Karthik
India now leads the five-match series 1-0. The second match will take place on Sunday.