Rinku Singh

There is always something appealing about a big-hitting batter who comes in lower down the order and single-handedly turns the game on its head. Team India has always been on the lookout for that kind of player, and probably the finest version of that kind of player has arrived in the form of Rinku Singh.

Rinku Singh’s breakthrough came when he pulled off a thrilling win for Kolkata Knight Riders against the Gujarat Titans in the 2023 IPL. With five balls left and 28 runs still left to chase down, the game was all but in GT’s pockets: one dot ball or one slight mishit and KKR would go home empty-handed. Instead, Rinku went 6, 6, 6, 6, 6.

It was that type of an innings that had everyone sit up and take notice. It elevated Rinku to not only an IPL hero, but as a bonafide finisher meant to represent India. His ability to put away the first three balls, all full-tosses, was one thing, but it was after Yash Dayal pulled his length back that Rinku dug into his bag of magic. He pulled a ball from far outside off stump over long-on to set up 4 needed off 1, before repeating the trick on the last delivery. It was pure muscle, and India was ready to welcome its next star.

He would be handed his international debut very soon after, as he was part of the unit that flew to Ireland for a T20I series. In his brief international career, Rinku has represented the T20I side 22 times, averaging 69.5 while striking at 175.21. He also holds the record for the highest partnership for India, combining for 190 runs off just 95 balls alongside Rohit Sharma against Afghanistan.

Rinku was in the reserves for the 2024 T20 World Cup, which India won on July 29 in Barbados. He too played a big role in KKR’s triumph in the 2024 IPL season.

The success hasn't been overnight in fact it has come to him after a lot of struggle and hardships. Rinku, as a player had always shown a lot of promise but it was the IPL that gave him the platform to develop his skills in recent years. It was at the KKR setup, under the tutelage of Abhishek Nayar and Gautam Gambhir that Rinku developed. With Gambhir now the new India coach and Nayar being part of his support staff, presents an exciting opportunity for Rinku, who can continue developing in a familiar environment, and go from strength to strength under the new leadership.

Rinku has also made his ODI debut, playing two matches in South Africa in December 2023. A player for Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit, Rinku averages nearly 55 in the First Class, and may have his eyes set on securing a Test debut shortly as well.

Along with his big-hitting ability, Rinku has shown a temperament to deliver for the team under pressure and in big moments. With a game suited to scoring runs to any part of the field, Rinku is sure to be a regular in India's T20I scheme of things with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja calling it quits from the shortest format.