Rinku Singh
From Aligarh's two-room home to World Cup glory: The left-handed finisher who delivers when it matters most.
Rinku Khanchand Singh, born on 12 October 1997 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, is an Indian cricketer for the national team and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. A left-handed middle-order batter and occasional right-arm off-break bowler, he grew up in a two-bedroom unit offered by his father's boss who ran a gas cylinder distribution business before becoming a key player in Indian cricket. Singh helped secure gold at the 2022 Asian Games, won the 2025 Asia Cup, and claimed victory in the 2026 T20 World Cup. His path covers domestic runs for Uttar Pradesh and success with KKR after he joined the franchise in January 2018.
- Role
- Left-handed middle order batter / Occasional right-arm off break bowler
- Affiliation
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
- First IPL Appearance
- 2017
- Status
- Active Player
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Singh's path to stardom began in the domestic circuits, where he represented Uttar Pradesh at under-16, under-19, and under-23 levels before making his List A debut on 5 March 2014 against Vidarbha, top-scoring with 83 runs. He made his first-class appearance on 5 November 2016 against Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy, later becoming Uttar Pradesh's leading run-scorer in the 2018–19 season with 953 runs across ten matches. His franchise career took off after being bought by Kings XI Punjab in February 2017; released a year later, he joined Kolkata Knight Riders for ₹8 million in January 2018. A three-month suspension followed in May 2019 for participating in an Abu Dhabi T20 tournament without board permission, but he returned to form, earning his first Player of the Match award in 2022 with a 42-run knock off 23 balls against Rajasthan Royals.
In Their Own Story
Chasing Gujarat Titans' total, he faced Yash Dayal in the final over with the match hanging in the balance. Hitting five sixes to score 29 runs in that single over, he delivered the highest number of runs scored in a last over to win an IPL match. This moment crystallized his reputation as a clutch performer who thrives under extreme pressure. Earlier in his international journey, he made his T20I debut on 18 August 2023 against Ireland but didn't bat; however, he responded with 38 runs in the next match and scored 105 runs at a strike rate of 175 across five matches against Australia later that November. His first ODI appearance came on 19 December 2023, where he took the wicket of Rassie van der Dussen while scoring 17 runs.
Reader's Guide
Rinku Singh's game is defined by his ability to stabilize innings and accelerate in the death overs for both India and Kolkata Knight Riders. A left-handed middle-order batter who occasionally bowls right-arm off breaks, he has proven his worth across formats with specific milestones: a 190-run partnership with Rohit Sharma against Afghanistan on 17 January 2024 (India's highest T20I partnership), scoring 61 runs in two innings against Bangladesh in October 2024, and an unbeaten 44 off 20 balls against New Zealand in January 2026. Despite missing the playing eleven at the 2022 Asian Games, he was a reserve for the 2024 T20 World Cup before becoming integral to India's 2025 Asia Cup and 2026 T20 World Cup victories. His consistency includes half-centuries against Zimbabwe in July 2024 and notable performances in high-pressure chases, making him a reliable asset for KKR and the national side.
Did You Know?
- Singh was born in Aligarh and lived in a two-bedroom accommodation provided by his father's employer during his early years.
- He scored 29 runs including five sixes in the final over against Gujarat Titans on 9 April 2023, setting an IPL record for the most runs in a last over to win a match.
- Singh formed India's highest T20I partnership of 190 runs with Rohit Sharma against Afghanistan on 17 January 2024.
- He was given a three-month suspension by the BCCI in May 2019 for playing in an Abu Dhabi tournament without permission.
- Singh got engaged to politician Priya Saroj on 8 June 2025 and was appointed as an officer in the state education department under the sports quota that same month.