“Normality is back” in Rinku Singh’s life now. Hitting five sixes off as many balls and achieving a near-impossible task of knocking off 29 runs in the final over against Gujarat Titans on Sunday evening in Ahmedabad has made the left-handed batter a sensation and the most sought-after Knight in the Kolkata Knight Riders group at present.
But for the 25-year-old, whose humble background drives him to go further up the ladder, there’s plenty on his plate and he still has miles to travel. Celebrations thus can wait.
“Life is back to normal now. At that point (after the Knight Riders’ unthinkable three-wicket win at the Motera), it still seemed unbelievable to have hit those sixes. Vishwaas hi nahi ho raha tha (Just couldn’t believe it).
“It was almost as if we had accepted defeat before that deciding over, because hitting five sixes off five balls is a mighty, mighty task. But having accomplished the task, it indeed was a great feeling for both me and the team,” Rinku told The Telegraph.
“But right now, I’m not thinking too far ahead, like an India call-up or stuff like that. Har kisi ka sapna hota hai India ke liye khelna (Everyone has a dream of playing for India), but right now, I’m focused solely on the IPL and helping my team win,” he added.
By his own admission, the fluency in his batting wasn’t quite there early in his innings at the Motera as he had scored only 18 off 16 balls before taking strike in that deciding over. He did shift gears when needed, but the realisation that he could seal the game for the Knight Riders came only when the scoreboard read 10 required off two balls.
“I wasn’t striking the ball well early on, while Rashid (Khan)’s hat-trick had also made it tough for us. But things worked in the last eight balls that I played.
“I wasn’t really thinking much in that final over. But when I saw 10 needed off two (balls), then I realised we could win the game if I could hit another six. That belief, thanks to the encouraging words from our head coach (Chandrakant Pandit) and captain (Nitish Rana) during the timeout, was there inside which pulled me through. And then it did feel awesome,” Rinku, recalling his assault on Uttar Pradesh statemate Yash Dayal, explained.
The unbeaten 48 off 21 balls against the Titans also underlined Rinku’s ability as a finisher. But what matters more for him is being consistent with his performances at No.5 or 6 in the batting order.
“In domestic cricket also, I bat at No.5 or 6. It’s the same here in the IPL, so I’m used to this position and gaining experience as well, particularly when it comes to hitting in the closing overs,” Rinku added.
Bonding with skipper
The depth of the bonding Rinku shares with skipper Rana also enables him to express himself better on the field. “Nitishbhaiyaa and I have been with one another in KKR for almost six years. His support and advice matters a lot.
“He even scolds me when I make mistakes. It’s good for me when he scolds and points out my mistakes,” Rinku said.
Roots motivate
Financially, Rinku and his family are much better placed at the moment, but he will always be aware of his roots. “I’ll never forget my roots and humble background as they play a role in helping me go further up.
“Puraani cheezein yaad rakhoge, toh improvement hona hi hai (You’ll definitely improve if you remember the past). So I do believe one should never forget where one came from as it turns out to be a huge motivation,” Rinku signed off.
