Rinku Singh, the star batter for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has opened up about how the IPL franchise stood by him during his darkest career moments. Back in 2021, a nasty knee injury left the 27-year-old fearing for his future, but KKR’s unwavering support helped him bounce back stronger than ever.
Rinku, who’s been juggling spots in India’s national team lineup, credits his solid IPL performances up to 2024 for keeping him in the mix. But when his form dipped, he found himself on the bench. Still, the Uttar Pradesh cricketer from Aligarh remains grateful for KKR’s faith in him.
In a candid chat on a podcast with Raj Shamani, Rinku recalled the scary incident. “KKR backed me at my lowest,” he said. “I was playing against Railways, trying out new shoes and spikes. I went for a quick double, tapped my bat, and heard a crack—I just collapsed.”
His immediate worry? Missing out on IPL. “My contract was Rs 80 lakh back then, and that money meant everything,” Rinku shared. An MRI confirmed a meniscus tear, leading to surgery and four tough months of rehab.
Despite shining in domestic cricket, Rinku wasn’t sure teams would pick him at the IPL auction. “KKR and LSG bid for me, and KKR got me for Rs 55 lakh. That’s when I knew I had a second shot,” he added.
Rinku’s big IPL breakthrough came in 2023 against Gujarat Titans. Needing 29 runs off the last over, he scripted history by smashing five sixes in a row off Yash Dayal. “Venky bhai (Venkatesh Iyer) and Rana bhai (Nitish Rana) set us up well, but we lost wickets fast. I was struggling—8 runs off 14 balls, nothing connecting,” Rinku remembered.
Umesh Yadav (Umesh bhai) handed him the strike on the first ball. “I hit the first six, then the second, third… My body language wasn’t great, but seeing 10 needed off 2 balls, I thought, ‘This is doable.'” The final six sealed the thriller, and celebrations erupted. “Rana bhai ran to me before the ball even cleared. Overnight, my Instagram followers exploded, and everyone knew my name. All that hard work paid off.”
Since joining KKR in 2018, Rinku has played 59 IPL matches, scoring 1,099 runs. He played a crucial role in their third IPL title win in 2024, evolving from a raw talent into KKR’s go-to match-winner. Stories like Rinku’s show why the IPL inspires so many young cricketers chasing their dreams.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
