Journey

Rinku Singh is an Indian international cricketer who plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket. He was born on 12 October 1997 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. He is a left-handed batman and a right-arm off-break bowler. He mainly plays as a middle-order batsman and a part-time spinner.

Rinku Singh has recently made his mark in the international arena, making his debut in August 2023 against Ireland, scoring a match-winning 42 runs in 23 balls in the IPL 2022, and being selected for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 squad.

Early Life of Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh comes from a humble background and a large family. His father works as an LPG distribution company worker, and his mother is a homemaker. He has four brothers and two sisters. He grew up in a two-room quarter near Aligarh Stadium, where he developed his passion for cricket.

He did not have any formal coaching or equipment, and he learned the game by watching videos of his idols, such as Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, and by playing with his friends and brothers in the streets and grounds of Aligarh. He faced many challenges and hardships to pursue his dream, but he never gave up.

Rinku Singh’s Early Rise: A Domestic Cricket Prodigy

Rinku Singh started his domestic career at a young age, representing Uttar Pradesh at various age-group levels. He made his List A debut at the age of 16 in the 2014–15 Vijay Hazare Trophy, and his first-class debut at the age of 19 in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy. He soon established himself as a consistent performer and a prolific run-scorer, especially in the longer format of the game.

He was the leading run-scorer for Uttar Pradesh in the group-stage of the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy, scoring 803 runs in nine matches, including three centuries and four fifties. He finished the tournament with 953 runs in ten matches, the third-highest among all the players. He also played for the Central Zone team in the 2017–18 Duleep Trophy, and the India A team in the 2018–19 Deodhar Trophy.

Rinku Singh: From Limited Opportunities to IPL Stardom

Rinku Singh entered the IPL in 2017, when he was bought by the Kings XI Punjab for 10 lakh. However, he did not get many opportunities and played only one match in that season. He was then bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2018 for 80 lakh, but he suffered a wrist injury and missed most of the season. He played only four matches in 2019, and seven matches in 2020, scoring modestly.

He finally had his breakthrough performance in the IPL 2022, where he scored 312 runs in 14 matches at an average of 31.20 and a strike rate of 149.04. He played some crucial knocks for his team, especially in the second half of the tournament, and helped them reach the playoffs. His most memorable innings was against the Rajasthan Royals, where he scored 42 runs in 23 balls, hitting five consecutive sixes in the last over of the match, and earned his first man of the match award.

From Debutant to World Cup Squad: Rinku Singh’s Rise Continues

Rinku Singh made his international debut in August 2023, when he was selected for the T20I series against Ireland. He played in all three matches, and scored 32, 28, and 46 respectively, showing his ability to adapt to different conditions and situations. He also chipped in with some useful overs of off-spin, and took two wickets in the series.

He was a part of the Indian team that won the series 3-0, and impressed the selectors and the fans with his talent and temperament. He was then included in the 15-man squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which will be hosted by India, and is expected to play a vital role as a middle-order batsman and a backup spinner.

Rinku Singh: A Humble Star Ascending the Cricket Pantheon

Rinku Singh has come a long way from a humble background to a national star, and has shown his potential to become one of the best batsmen in the world. He has a rare combination of power, grace, and versatility, and can play in any format and any position.

He has also shown his hard work, determination, and passion for the game, overcoming many obstacles and challenges in his journey. He is an inspiration for many young cricketers, and a pride for his family and his state. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors, and we are excited to watch him play in the World Cup.