India batter Rinku Singh completed one year in international cricket on August 18, Sunday. The left-hander had made his T20I debut for India against Ireland in the overseas tour last year and since then has had an amazing time with the national team.
While he did not play any matches in the T20 World Cup 2024, Rinku Singh has always turned up with his bat in the shortest format of the game. On the occasion of completing a year in the Blue, Rinku posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram channel.
“One year since the dream that turned into reality. Grateful for every moment in blue. Jai Hind,” Rinku posted on Instagram.
Rinku’s journey began with his domestic cricket career, where he represented Uttar Pradesh at various levels, including under-16, under-19, and under-23. He made his List A debut for Uttar Pradesh in March 2014 and his first-class debut in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy. His impressive performances in domestic cricket earned him a spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was bought by Kings XI Punjab in 2017 and later by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2018.
In the IPL, Rinku initially struggled to find his footing, spending most of his time on the sidelines. However, his fortunes changed in the 2022 season, where he scored 174 runs in seven matches at an average of 34.80 and a strike rate of 148.72. This performance caught the attention of KKR’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, who praised Rinku’s incredible story and expressed his delight for the young player’s success.
The 2023 season proved to be a game-changer for Rinku. He consistently performed well, finishing as the leading run-scorer for KKR with 474 runs in 14 matches at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.52. His impressive form earned him recognition, and he was eventually called up to the Indian national team.
Rinku made his international debut in a Twenty20 International (T20I) against Ireland on August 18, 2023. In his second match, he scored a quick 38 runs before being dismissed by the last ball of the innings. He continued to impress, scoring 22 runs off 14 deliveries against Australia in the first T20I at Vishakhapatnam on November 23, 2023.
In November 2023, Rinku was named in India’s squad for their tour of South Africa. On December 12, 2023, he scored his first half-century in T20I cricket with a score of 68*. He made his One Day International (ODI) debut against South Africa on December 19, 2023, scoring 17 runs and taking the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen. In the second ODI, he played a match-winning knock against South Africa.
Rinku’s most notable international performance came on January 17, 2024, when he and Rohit Sharma stitched a 190* run partnership, India’s highest run partnership in T20I cricket and the highest run partnership for the fifth wicket in the world.
In May 2024, Rinku was named as a reserve player in India’s squad for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup tournament. He also played in the Indian tour of Sri Lanka in July 2024, where he bowled his first ever over, taking two wickets and conceding only three runs in the final match.
Rinku Singh’s rise to international cricket is a testament to his hard work and determination. From facing poverty and lack of support to becoming a key player for India, his journey is an inspiration to many. As he continues to grow and develop as a cricketer, fans and coaches alike are eagerly awaiting his future performances.
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