Rinku Singh, an Uncapped player has become a cult superstar as a result of his heroics in the IPL 2023. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter continues to win over fans, from ripping at Yash Dayal and pulling off a remarkable robbery with five straight sixes to striking the winning runs against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens.
His path from poor beginnings has only increased his supporters’ admiration and love across the country. After showing his potential as a finisher last season, he has stepped it up many levels this year, positioning himself as a long-term player.
To be sure, Rinku isn’t the first uncapped player to become a cult figure in the IPL. Throughout the league’s long 16-season history, several lesser-known and unsung people have pulled off great feats for their clubs in order to make a distinct reputation for themselves.
In this article, we look at three cult heroes that have arisen from the IPL throughout the years.
1) Rahul Tewatia
Rahul Tewatia came before Rinku Singh. While he is still uncapped at the national level, appeals for an India call-up have become stronger as a result of his consistency in closing matches with the bat for Gujarat Titans (GT), as well as his amazing nerve under pressure.
It all started when he clouted Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in the 18th over of an IPL 2020 match, assisting Rajasthan Royals (RR) to a league record chase against Kings XI Punjab (as they were known at the time). The fact that he had a patchy stay in the centre before flipping a switch just contributed to the cult around him.
Tewatia’s cult hero reputation has only risen over time, as he maintains great confidence in the death overs. Known as the ‘Iceman,’ he handily leads our list of uncapped players who have gained an extensive fan base.
2) Aditya Tare
Aditya Tare was not a regular in the Mumbai Indians (MI) playing XI, but one big six carved himself into cricketing folklore, with fans remembering that moment even now.
Of course, we’re referring to ‘that’ six he smashed off James Faulkner at Wankhede Stadium in the 2014 IPL. MI needed to chase 190 in 14.3 overs to go to the playoffs ahead of Rajasthan Royals (RR). The tone was set by Corey Anderson’s unbeaten 95, but Ambati Rayudu’s run out with two runs required off the third ball of the 15th over destroyed their hopes.
That is, until it was determined that a boundary would put them in the playoffs, and Tare obliged by pummeling a Faulkner full toss over a deep square leg.
Tare tore off on a sprint, pulling his shirt in the process, causing chaos in the festivities. He earned the hearts of millions of Michigan fans and will be remembered for this epic moment that propelled the team into the playoffs.
3) Manvinder Bisla
Manvinder Bisla joined the pantheon of IPL cult legends with a knock for the ages in the league’s championship match in 2012. The circumstances surrounding his inclusion in the KKR playing XI for the final were out of a movie script: an injury to Lakshmipathy Balaji meant that Brett Lee had to play, forcing Brendon McCullum out to keep the overseas quota at four.
Bisla saw an opportunity and grasped it with both hands. Despite witnessing the wicket of skipper Gautam Gambhir in the first over, he tore into the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) attack in chase of 191. His 48-ball 89 helped the Knight Riders win their first title, and he was named Player of the Match.
This is one of the most famous knocks ever performed in a major league final. Bisla’s heroics are still part of mythology today – it was definitely a fairytale sequence of events in every way!