Talented batsman Rinku Singh, who gained fame with five consecutive sixes against the Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023, is now setting his sights on the Asian Games. Known for his finishing abilities, the Kolkata Knight Riders’ star earned a spot in India’s T20I squad for the Ireland series, making an immediate impact with a rapid 38.
Fresh from his debut, Rinku joined the Meerut Mavericks in the inaugural UPT20, leaving a mark with three consecutive sixes in a Super Over. His team finished as runners-up, and now, the left-handed batsman is gearing up for the Asian Games.
Part of Ruturaj Gaikwad’s squad, Rinku is eagerly looking forward to meeting Neeraj Chopra during the Asian Games. In an exclusive interview with News18, Rinku discusses various aspects of his career.
When asked about how he manages to stay calm in high-pressure situations, Rinku emphasized the importance of self-control.
“There is always pressure, but it’s crucial to maintain self-control under those circumstances. Holding your breath while doing that is vital. You should also maintain your composure and, most importantly, your self-confidence. When you continue to do these things, dealing with pressure situations gets simpler,” he said.
Regarding his preparations for his batting position, typically at No.5 or No.6, Rinku mentioned that he’s been playing at these slots for a long time, especially while representing Uttar Pradesh.
“I’ve been playing at Nos. 5 and 6 for a long time, therefore I’m pretty accustomed to doing so. I’ve been playing at that number ever since I started representing Uttar Pradesh. I practice batting in phases. I keep that in mind when I train at the KKR academy with Abhishek Nayar sir, who really aids my batting. He offers breathing exercises and advice on how to maintain concentration under pressure,” he added.
Interestingly, despite his cricketing prowess, Rinku has consistently declined offers to captain teams.
“I have never served as a captain. Though I like it, I don’t do it. I did it in some matches but somehow it blocks your mind. Because of my personality, I prefer to play freely and avoid shouldering the responsibility of captaincy. I was also given captaincy by UPCA, but I declined with my hands folded so that I could play freely,” Rinku continued
“Many close games have been played and a lot of super overs as well. There are so many young guys succeeding. In our team, Swastik Chikkara is performing incredibly well and has scored three hundreds. It provides young players with an excellent platform to display their ability. Many families benefit from the fact that they may now watch their children perform on a large platform,” he said about UPT20.
Looking ahead to his future, Rinku expressed his desire to continue playing for India and emphasized the importance of staying focused on the present rather than dwelling on future plans. He shared the heartwarming story behind a viral picture of his parents wearing his India jersey, explaining that it was their dream to see him represent the country.
“I just finished representing India and I want to play more. I try to stay in the moment and don’t think too much about the future. The jersey picture’s backstory is straightforward. In front of the house where my adventure began, I made them don the Indian jersey. My parents had dreamed about it. My dream was to play for India. It was also my parent’s dream. A lot of people anyway play in the IPL. When my dream was fulfilled I made them wear the T-shirt,” he said.
As for his parents moving to a new house, Rinku revealed that they prefer to stay in their old home, where they have lived for a long time.
Looking forward to the Asian Games, Rinku expressed his excitement about meeting athlete Neeraj Chopra.
“There is a lot of excitement around Neeraj Chopra. I can’t wait to meet him. There is a lot of enthusiasm surrounding cricket there as everyone wants to take home the gold,” he said.
While Rinku acknowledges the significance of his five consecutive sixes, he reminds everyone that he has more to offer in his cricketing journey.
“It’s a big deal when you hit five sixes. When my supporters come to me and inquire about five sixes, I respond, ‘I’ve played many other innings as well apart from the 5 sixes’. They remember me as well since that is unusual in cricket. It’s uncommon to see five sixes in the penultimate over in a close chase,” he concluded.