Did KKR Support Rinku Singh During His Toughest Times?

New Delhi, Sep 18 (NationPress) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh has expressed his gratitude towards the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise for standing by him during some of the most challenging phases of his career, particularly following a debilitating knee injury in 2021.

The 27-year-old has seen fluctuating fortune in India's playing eleven recently. His performances in the IPL leading up to 2024 played a significant role in securing his position in the national team. However, inconsistent displays saw Rinku relegated to a bench role.

Reflecting on the support he received from KKR post-injury, Rinku shared in a recent podcast with Raj Shamani, “KKR supported me when I was at my lowest. There was a moment when I was terrified after my knee injury in 2021. While playing against Railways, I was in new shoes and spikes. I made a quick double but suddenly heard a crack—I collapsed on the ground.”

The Aligarh-born cricketer revealed that his immediate concern after the injury was the IPL, stating, “My first thought was about being sidelined. At that time, I had a contract worth Rs 80 lakh, which was crucial for me. An MRI later confirmed a meniscus tear.”

After undergoing surgery and spending nearly four months in rehabilitation, Rinku’s performances in domestic cricket paved the way for his return at the IPL Auction.

“Despite performing well in domestic cricket, I was uncertain if I would be chosen again. That year, both KKR and LSG were interested in me, and ultimately, KKR secured my services for Rs 55 lakh. It felt like I had a fresh opportunity to showcase my skills,” he remarked.

Rinku's defining moment in the IPL occurred in 2023 when he hit five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal during a match against the Gujarat Titans. With the team needing 29 runs in the final over, the Uttar Pradesh cricketer achieved the remarkable feat, securing his place in history.

“We were doing well thanks to Venky bhai (Venkatesh Iyer) and Rana bhai (Nitish Rana), but then we lost wickets quickly, and I had to step in. Honestly, I was struggling with only 8 runs off 14 balls, and the ball wasn’t coming off the bat well,” he recalled.

“Umesh bhai (Umesh Yadav) gave me the strike on the first ball. I found my rhythm and hit the first six, then the second, then the third. If you watch the highlights, my body language wasn’t great, but when I saw we needed 10 runs off 2 balls, I thought, 'this is achievable'.”

He continued, “I launched the next one out of the stadium, and when I connected with the last ball, I began celebrating even before it crossed the boundary. Rana bhai was already rushing towards me. At that moment, I felt like all my efforts had finally paid off. Suddenly, I was gaining followers on Instagram and receiving recognition. Everything changed in an instant.”

Since joining KKR in 2018, Rinku Singh has evolved into a vital team player, participating in 59 matches and accumulating 1,099 runs. He played a pivotal role in clinching their third TATA IPL title in 2024, transforming from a promising young talent into one of the team's most reliable match-winners.