Suryakumar Yadav, Team India’s captain for the T20I series against Australia, stated that Rinku Singh’s heroics in the lower order reminded him of the famous MS Dhoni.
Rinku has continued his form in international cricket after impressing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) with the willow in IPL 2023. He hit an unbeaten 22 off 14 deliveries in the first T20I in Visakhapatnam and then smashed 31* off nine balls in the second T20I in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
Suryakumar praised Rinku’s accomplishments during the post-match presentation, saying:
‘When I saw Rinku come in to bat in the last game, the composure he showed was brilliant. It reminded me of someone. Everyone knows the answer.”
Suryakumar Yadav
Rinku smacked three fours and two sixes off Australian bowler Sean Abbott in the 19th over and added another boundary off Nathan Ellis in the penultimate over.
Previously, KKR assistant coach Abhishek Nayar stated that the southpaw appears to be following in the footsteps of Dhoni and Hardik Pandya as a finisher.
I practice as if I’m batting in the last five overs: Rinku Singh
Rinku remarked that he practices in the nets according to his position in the squad when it comes to his batting achievements as a finisher.
“I bat in this number a lot. So, I am calm knowing this position. I know sometimes I will get 5-6 overs (to bat) or sometimes two overs. That’s exactly how I practice, as if I’m batting in the last five. That’s what VVS sir (V V S Laxman, India’s coach for the T20I series) has also told me to train in the nets.”
Rinku Singh
Rinku went on to say that he doesn’t plan his shots and just plays whatever ball is available.
“I like to play each ball according to where it lands. I try to notice whether it’s a slower ball or fast ball and I respond accordingly.”
Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh has scored 128 runs in four T20I innings, with a strike rate of 216.94.