Cricket

Rinku Singh's recent batting performances have raised concerns for the Indian cricket team ahead of the crucial fourth T20I against South Africa. Despite centuries from Sanju Samson and Tilak Varma, India's batting has been inconsistent, and the team is seeking a more collective effort to clinch the series 3-1.Rinku, known for his exceptional T20 skills, has struggled in recent months. His batting position and use as a floater at numbers six and seven have not helped his cause. The Aligarh-born player has managed only 28 runs in three innings, with scores of 11, 9, and 8.While these scores may not seem alarming in isolation, the number of balls (34) Rinku has taken to score them is concerning. Even during the last IPL, he faced only 113 balls in 15 games for KKR, averaging 7.5 deliveries per game.As a specialist "finisher," Rinku is expected to face around 10 balls per innings. However, this strategy has eroded his confidence, leaving him caught between attacking and playing second fiddle.Most of Rinku's better performances have come when he has batted at number five. However, with Samson settling as an opener and Varma staking claim as a No. 3, it may be difficult for Rinku to be promoted ahead of Hardik Pandya.The team think-tank needs to address this issue promptly. India has used 12 out of their 15 players in the first three games, and it remains to be seen if one of the two uncapped pacers, Yash Dayal or Vysakh Vijaykumar, will make their debut if the pitch warrants an extra specialist speedster.For Samson, he will be eager to break his recent run of failures against Marco Jansen. In the final game, skipper Surya may consider Ramandeep Singh's steady medium pace as he offers multiple skills, including the ability to field at all positions except wicket-keeping.

Rinku Singh's life took a dramatic turn after his extraordinary feat of hitting five consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans' Yash Dayal in an IPL 2023 match. This remarkable performance not only propelled him to international fame but also earned him a lucrative contract renewal with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a staggering Rs 13 crore.Born into a humble family in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, Singh's journey to the pinnacle of cricket is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing financial hardships, his passion for the sport and his desire to support his family drove him to pursue cricket professionally.Singh's rise through the ranks was marked by hard work and exceptional talent. He honed his skills at the local level before making his mark in the domestic circuit. His fearless batting and exceptional finishing abilities caught the attention of KKR, who signed him in 2022.In the 2023 IPL season, Singh's star shone brightly. His unforgettable performance against Gujarat Titans, where he smashed five sixes in an over, cemented his place as a key player for KKR. This incredible feat earned him widespread recognition and admiration from cricket fans across the country.With his recent contract renewal, Singh has decided to invest in his dream home in his hometown of Aligarh. The luxurious bungalow, located in The Golden Estate of Ozone City, is a symbol of his achievements and gratitude towards his roots. The 500-square-yard property boasts a rooftop bar, private pool, and a special space dedicated to the bat with which he hit those five historic sixes.Singh's journey is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and a testament to the power of hard work and dedication. His success story highlights the importance of perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering belief in one's dreams.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has sparked a debate over the treatment of Rinku Singh by Team India. Chopra has questioned the team's strategy of placing Rinku lower in the batting order, suggesting that he should be given the opportunity to bat at number four instead of number six.Chopra believes that Rinku has not been given the optimal platform to showcase his capabilities. "Are we being fair to Rinku? It's a very important question," Chopra said on his YouTube channel. "He was in your team against Bangladesh and before that as well. Whenever you have sent him up the order or he has got to bat in the powerplay, he has scored runs every time."Chopra emphasized that Rinku has consistently performed well when given more overs to bat. He highlighted that the left-hander has emerged as a reliable player for India in critical situations, scoring crucial runs at a commendable strike rate. "He has scored a half-century every time. He has emerged as a crisis man. He scored those half-centuries at very good strike rates," Chopra added.Rinku, having scored 490 runs at a strike rate of 173.14 in 20 T20I innings, remains a promising prospect for India. Chopra proposed that Tilak Varma could have been shifted to the number six position, allowing Rinku to bat at number four and affording him more time to settle in and make a significant contribution."I feel you could have played him at No. 4 in Durban. In fact, you could have done that in this entire series and moved Tilak Varma down because someone has to go at No. 6," he explained.While acknowledging Rinku's finishing abilities, Chopra pointed out that the 27-year-old doesn't fit the mold of a typical power-hitter like Andre Russell or Hardik Pandya. He believes that Rinku's batting style, which prioritizes timing over sheer power, would be more effective if he were given a higher batting position."I am asking this question only because Rinku can finish but he is not just a finisher. This is my understanding. I feel he knows how to drive the game. He is hitting sixes but he is not someone who muscles the ball. He is not Andre Russell and he is not Hardik Pandya as well," Chopra said.

Star India batter Rinku Singh, who rose to prominence with his explosive batting in IPL 2023, has been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for a whopping 13 crore. The power-hitter, who smashed five sixes against Yash Dayal in a memorable innings, has become the highest-paid player in the KKR squad.Following the IPL retentions, reports have emerged claiming that Rinku has purchased a luxurious bungalow in The Golden Estate, Aligarh, for an estimated 3.5 crore. The property is said to be a 500 square yard house.Meanwhile, KKR has parted ways with their IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer. Despite leading the team to their first title in a decade, Iyer has been released due to a combination of factors, including his batting statistics and the team's strong top-order.Iyer joins the ranks of other unfortunate IPL captains who have been released after title wins, such as Adam Gilchrist and David Warner.This year's IPL retentions have witnessed a bold approach from franchises, with several experienced players being released in favor of uncapped and inexperienced Indian players. Out of the 46 players retained across all teams, 36 are Indian, including 10 uncapped stars.These uncapped players include Abhishek Porel, Rahul Tewatia, Shahrukh Khan, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Mohsin Khan, Ayush Badoni, Shashank Singh, Prabhsimran Singh, and Yash Dayal.Among the capped Indian players, 13 have played less than 30 international matches, and eight have played 10 or fewer games for India. Notably, Dhruv Jurel, who has only played international matches for India, has received the biggest pay hike, going from 20 lakh this season to 14 crores next season.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) CEO Venky Mysore has revealed the challenges faced in selecting the team's six retentions ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. After winning the previous season, KKR had to make tough decisions, ultimately retaining Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, and Ramandeep Singh.Mysore emphasized the difficulty in narrowing down the list, stating that "trying to trim that down to six was very challenging." He highlighted the long-standing relationships with players like Narine and Russell, as well as the contributions of Chakaravarthy and Rinku.The CEO also discussed the process of communicating with players who were not retained. He emphasized transparency and understanding, acknowledging that "leaving out some of the players is never easy." Mysore noted that retention is a mutual agreement and that players may choose to explore other options.Regarding the upcoming mega auction, Mysore acknowledged the unique challenges KKR faces with a purse of INR 51 crore and no Right-To-Match (RTM) cards. He emphasized the need for a well-thought-out strategy and expressed confidence in the team's think tank.Mysore also highlighted the involvement of the support staff, particularly after the departure of Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate. He praised the contributions of DJ Bravo, Chandrakant Pandit, Bharathi Arun, Carl Crowe, and Nathan Leamon in the decision-making process.

Rinku Singh's journey in Indian cricket has been a testament to his resilience and determination. From humble beginnings, he rose to prominence with a stellar performance in the 2023 IPL. His international debut made him a fan favorite, but since then, he has faced challenges in securing regular game time.Despite the limited opportunities, Rinku remains focused on making the most of every chance he gets. His tattoo, "God's plan," serves as a reminder of his belief in a higher power guiding his path.In the recent T20I series, Rinku was given more responsibility to rebuild the innings. He responded with a half-century, showcasing his ability to adapt to different situations. The team management's trust in him has given him the confidence to play his natural game.Rinku acknowledges the cut-throat competition in Indian cricket, but he remains unfazed. He understands that his role is to contribute to the team's success, regardless of his position in the batting order.The Indian cricket culture encourages players to take risks and express themselves. This has helped Rinku shed any inhibitions and focus on hitting the ball hard.While opportunities in Indian cricket can be fleeting, Rinku has proven his worth. He has made the most of his chances and continues to strive for improvement. His determination and belief in his abilities make him a valuable asset to any team.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has lauded the Indian cricket team's performance in the second T20I against Bangladesh, highlighting the team's temperament and the foresight of the coaching staff.India's young talent Nitish Reddy shone with both bat and ball, scoring a half-century and taking two wickets as India secured an impressive 86-run victory over Bangladesh in New Delhi on Wednesday.Despite losing three wickets inside the Powerplay, India recovered to post a formidable total of 221 for 9, thanks to explosive fifties from Reddy and Rinku Singh. The bowlers then restricted Bangladesh to 135 for 9, securing a comprehensive win.Ali praised the Indian players' composure and the coaching staff's forward-thinking approach. "The thought process is very important, which is missing in Pakistani cricket," he said on his YouTube channel. "India rested Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal but nobody rests in our team. So, please learn something from India."Ali particularly commended Reddy's six-hitting prowess, calling them "Aththe" instead of sixes. He also hailed Rinku Singh's batting, comparing him to former Australian all-rounder Michael Bevan."Gautam Gambhir's thinking has been a success," Ali added. "I am not saying that he will win the World Cup straight away. Even if he flops, Gautam won't stop backing him because they pick players and make them and this is the best example of that."In the match, Bangladesh won the toss and chose to bowl first. They rattled India early, but Reddy and Rinku built a crucial partnership of 108 runs. Hardik Pandya then fired a quick 32 off 19 balls, helping India reach a big total.While chasing 222 runs, Bangladesh managed to keep up with the run-rate initially but kept losing wickets consistently. Mahmadullah was the only notable performer with 41 runs off 39 balls, including three sixes.With this victory, India won the three-match series 2-0. Nitish Kumar Reddy was named the 'Player of the Match' for his outstanding all-round performance.

Indian batter Rinku Singh has credited head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav for empowering the team to play aggressively and express themselves on the field. Singh's blistering 53-run knock off 29 balls played a pivotal role in India's 86-run victory over Bangladesh in the second T20I on Wednesday."The coach and captain have asked us to play our game and whatever the situation (is), the message from them is maarte jao ball ko (just keep hitting the ball)," Singh said at the post-match press conference.Singh, who has often batted in the latter stages of innings, was called into action early on Wednesday after India lost three wickets inside the powerplay. He explained his approach, saying, "At the position I play, I get batting at different junctures of the game. Whenever I get batting earlier, my aim is to take singles and doubles and attack the bad balls.""When I come to bat with 2-3 overs left, my aim is to hit more fours and sixes. My main aim is to collect more and more runs for the team."Singh revealed that the wicket was initially challenging, but he adjusted his batting accordingly. "When the match started, the ball was not coming properly on to the bat. When Sanju (Samson) and Surya bhai got out then Reddy told me that ball phass rahi hai (the ball is sticking on the wicket).""I batted accordingly and then the wicket got a little better. We were discussing that we should get a (good) partnership first and get the momentum. We started with singles and then Reddy hit sixes and the momentum changed."Singh, who will next feature in the Ranji Trophy, expressed his desire to play in all three formats of the game. "I do see myself as an all format player, wherever I get the opportunity I will play," he said.The third and final T20I between India and Bangladesh will be played in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Rinku Singh, the rising star of Indian cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has unveiled the profound meaning behind his new "God's Plan" tattoo. The tattoo, which features a circle representing the sun and five sixes, symbolizes a pivotal moment in his career that transformed his life.During the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), Rinku's stunning performance against the Gujarat Titans, where he smashed five consecutive sixes, catapulted him into the limelight. This extraordinary feat not only secured a crucial win for KKR but also marked a turning point in his cricketing journey."I keep saying 'God's Plan.' I designed my tattoo based on that," Rinku explained. "The main aspect of the tattoo is the representation of the five sixes I hit in the IPL. It changed my life, so I thought I would include them in the tattoo."Rinku's inclusion in India's T20I squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh is a testament to his remarkable talent and the impact of his IPL heroics. The three-match series, starting on Sunday, will provide Rinku with an opportunity to showcase his skills on the international stage.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video on social media where Rinku shared the story behind his meaningful tattoo. The video highlights the significance of the five sixes and the profound impact they have had on his life.Rinku's journey to the Indian team has been marked by perseverance and determination. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, he has remained steadfast in his pursuit of cricketing excellence. His new tattoo serves as a constant reminder of his resilience and the belief that everything happens for a reason.As Rinku prepares to represent India in the T20I series against Bangladesh, he carries with him the hopes and aspirations of a nation. His "God's Plan" tattoo is a symbol of his unwavering faith and the belief that his destiny is in the hands of a higher power.