Rinku Singh expressed his emotions after guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to a four-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on Sunday, April 19. Chasing 156, KKR found themselves in trouble at 85 for 6 before Rinku (53* off 34 balls) and Anukul Roy (29* off 16 balls) combined for an unbeaten 76-run stand to seal the chase with two balls remaining.
Rinku Admits Luck Played a Part
The innings wasn’t without fortune for Rinku, who survived an early chance when Nandre Burger dropped a straightforward catch off Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling while he was on 8. Reflecting on the moment, Rinku acknowledged the role luck played in his performance.
“At times the mind doesn’t work properly and you end up playing such shots. But thankfully, luck was on my side and we eventually won the match,” Rinku said after the match to the host broadcaster.
Overcoming a Challenging Phase
Rinku’s match-winning effort comes after a difficult period in his personal and professional life. During the T20 World Cup campaign, he suffered the loss of his father, and his form had also been under scrutiny, with just 79 runs from five matches at a strike rate of 117.91 before this game.
Despite often batting lower down the order, Rinku made it clear that he remains flexible about his role in the team.
More Read
“There’s nothing like a fixed position for me. I can bat lower down the order or even at number 4. Wherever the team needs me, I am ready to bat at that position,” he added.
Boost for KKR Ahead of Next Fixture
Rinku’s return to form provides a timely boost for the three-time champions, strengthening their batting depth and offering greater composure in pressure situations.
Led by Ajinkya Rahane, Kolkata Knight Riders will now have a week-long break before their next match. They are set to face Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, April 26 in Lucknow, where they will look to build on this momentum.
