Middle-order batsman Rinku Singh has credited his calm approach during pressure situations in the ongoing T20I series against Australia to playing in the IPL, while adding that doing a lot of weight-training helps him play the big shots with ease.
Rinku blazed away to a 29-ball 46 while keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma, playing his first match in the series, smashed 35 off 19 balls as India scored a challenging 174/9 before restricting Australia to 154/7 to take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match rubber.
“Well, I have been playing for a long time. I have been playing in the IPL for five-six years now. So, that has given me the confidence. I back myself and try to keep myself calm,” Rinku, who plays for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, said in a chat with Jitesh on bcci.tv following India’s 20-run win on Friday.
Rinku, asked about the secret behind his towering 100-metre sixes, said he regularly goes to the gym. “I like lifting weights, which gives me the power,” said Rinku.
Jitesh conceded that he was under a lot of pressure when he came in to bat and marvelled at Rinku’s composure. “It didn’t look like as if these are your early days,” Jitesh told Rinku. “I was under a lot of pressure when I can in to bat, but you were so calm, picking and choosing the ball to hit.”
Jitesh, who came in place of Ishan Kishan on Friday, also thanked Rinku for helping him to relax and stay calm. “You kept telling me to take it easy and not to take pressure.”
Jitesh and Rinku played fine cameos when India were struggling at 111/4 in the 14th over.
