The Indian Premier League (IPL) has always been known for its nail-biting finishes, but the innings played by Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rinku Singh against Gujarat Titans was nothing short of spectacular. In a match where his team needed 28 runs from the last five balls, Rinku smashed five consecutive sixes to clinch a remarkable victory. Fans were left in awe of the 25-year-old’s display of grit and composure, which helped him achieve the impossible.
Rinku’s journey to the top has been a remarkable one. Born in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rinku comes from a family that had a tough time making ends meet. Three years ago, his family was in debt of Rs5 lakh, and there seemed to be no way out. However, cricket emerged as Rinku’s ray of hope, and he started saving up the meager daily allowances he received while playing for the state U-19 team to pay back the debts. With his father delivering cooking gas cylinders and his elder brother driving an auto-rickshaw, life was never easy for Rinku.
The 25-year-old left-handed batter, has emerged as one of the most-talked-about cricketers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). With his blistering knock of unbeaten 48 runs off just 13 balls against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023, he has once again proved his mettle in the T20 format.
Born and brought up in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Rinku had a humble beginning. His family struggled to make ends meet, and Rinku had to work hard to support his family. His father Khanchandra worked as a delivery man for cooking gas cylinders, and his elder brother drove an auto-rickshaw. Rinku, the third of five siblings, had no option other than to focus on cricket to change his family’s fortunes.
His breakthrough moment came in 2017 when he was signed by the Punjab Kings franchise at his base price of Rs10 lakh (Dh44,805) in the IPL auction. He had already made a name for himself in the domestic circuit with his impressive performances, and the Punjab Kings management saw him as a promising talent. However, he had to wait for one more year to make his IPL debut.
In 2018, Kolkata Knight Riders acquired his services for a staggering Rs80 lakh. It was a big moment for Rinku, who had never imagined earning such a huge amount of money. He made his IPL debut that year and played a crucial role in KKR’s campaign. Although he had a quiet outing, he showed glimpses of his potential and earned praise from the team management.
However, it was in the 2022 IPL season that Rinku’s career took off. He was in sensational form throughout the tournament and finished with a strike rate of 148.72 in seven games. He played some match-winning innings and proved his worth as a T20 specialist. His aggressive batting style and fearless approach caught everyone’s attention, and he became a fan-favourite.
In the 2023 IPL season, Rinku has played just three matches, but he has already made headlines with his performances. In a match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he scored a handy knock of 33-ball 46, and in the match against defending champions Gujarat Titans, he decimated pacer Yash Dayal by slamming five sixes in the final over of the match to remain unbeaten on 48.
Rinku’s story is an inspiring one, and it shows how hard work and determination can help overcome even the toughest of obstacles. Despite facing numerous challenges, Rinku never gave up on his dreams, and today he is one of the most talked-about cricketers in the IPL. His performances have left fans awestruck, and it is clear that he has a bright future ahead of him.
