Rinku Singh Shows Appreciation Towards His IPL Team

Rinku Singh is included in India's team, and he is now playing at the 2025 Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates. But the fearless left-handed batsman has not yet been provided with the chance to play. He is fighting for a place in the XI along with the likes of Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma. Both the players have performed quite well in the first two matches India have played till now, and it means that Rinku could have to wait a bit longer for playing his first-ever Asia Cup match. 

Rinku played his India debut in August 2023 after impressing everyone with his skills in the Uttar Pradesh team as well as in the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) team. The Aligarh-bred has been part of the KKR team since 2018. Rinku didn't receive too many opportunities to play in the IPL during his early years. Nevertheless, the Kolkata-based outfit had trust in his skills and kept waiting for the apt moment to use him regularly in the middle-order. 

Rinku remembered an occasion from 2021, when he hurt himself during a domestic match against Railways in 2021. He picked up a knee injury while attempting to go for a double. Rinku mentioned that his first concern was not about the pain or the severity of the injury but whether he would be missing the upcoming version of the IPL. 

Here is what Rinku said:

“KKR backed me at my worst. There was a time I was fearing the worst after my knee injury in 2021. I was batting against Railways, wearing new shoes and spikes. I tapped my bat for a quick double and instantly heard a crack — I just fell to the ground," 

“My first thought was about being ruled out. At that time, my contract was worth ₹80 lakh, and in those circumstances, that money was important to me. An MRI revealed it was a meniscus tear,” he added.

The cricketer then had surgery and was away in rehab for nearly four months before getting back to the domestic circuit. Rinku thanked KKR for having faith in his skills as he started on the path of a comeback. 

“Even though I did well in the domestic circuit, I wasn’t sure if I would be picked again. That year, both KKR and LSG were bidding for me, and eventually, KKR bought me for ₹55 lakh. That’s when I felt I had another chance to prove myself,” he said.

The 27-year-old has represented KKR in 58 games and has scored 1099 runs with an average of 30.53 and a strike rate of 145.18. In T20 Internationals, he has scored 546 runs in 24 innings at an average of 42 and a strike rate of 161.07.