Rinku Singh

Ever since the beginning of the Indian T20 League in 2008, the competition has witnessed rags-to-riches stories almost every year. One of those highly inspiring stories has been that of Rinku Singh who is a left-handed batter from India. Hailing from Aligarh, Rinku started his cricketing career by representing Uttar Pradesh at the age-group level. Considering his performances at that level, he was fast-tracked to the senior level.

In March 2014, Rinku made his List A debut for Uttar Pradesh and later that month, he would go on to make his T20 debut. A couple of years later, in 2016, he made his first-class debut for Uttar Pradesh against Punjab during the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy season. In 2017, the Punjab franchise picked him up for the 2017 Indian T20 League season. However, he was released by the franchise after just one season. In the following year, the Kolkata franchise showed faith in him and acquired his services for the 2018 season. Even though the first season didn’t turn out to be great, his potential was evident and he was retained for the 2019 edition.

He stitched the loopholes in his batting with mentor Abhishek Nayar at the Kolkata academy during the off-season. The results were visible in his 2018-19 Ranji Trophy outing for Uttar Pradesh, where he ended up being the third-highest run-getter (953 runs in 10 innings) with four centuries in his kitty. Before the 2022 mini-auction, the Kolkata franchise retained him for the 2023 Indian T20 League season. The middle-order batter can also roll his arm over with his off-spin. Moreover, he is swift across the field and is a safe catcher. His skill set makes him one of the most exciting players at the moment.

Rinku achieved his ultimate goal when he was called up for the National side and his dream turned into reality. He made his T20I debut against Ireland in August 2023. He made his ODI debut against South Africa in December 2023. Rinku now is in a pole position to play the role of a finisher for India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

From rags to riches Rinku Singh has come a long way. Rinku once had to reject a sweeper’s job offered to him and not to forget that his father, who is a gas cylinder delivery man wasn’t in support of him opting to pursue cricket as a career is now a renowned name around the globe.