Rohit Juglan
Rinku Singh became a household name during the 2023 IPL, with his five sixes off Yash Dayal catapulting him into the headlines. He finished with 474 runs that season, a performance that earned him a first India cap months later. But though he has performed well in his opportunities for India, the last two IPL seasons have been poor, with just 374 runs and a highest score of 38 not out. But the selectors kept faith in him for the Asia Cup, and in this exclusive chat with Rohit Juglan, Rinku opened up on how he intends to be ready.
Rohit Juglan: Did getting selected for Asia Cup 2025 act as a motivation for your recent performance where you scored a hundred (in the UP T20 League)?
Rinku Singh: Yes, it did act as a motivational factor because my performance hasn’t been that great in the past IPL, and I was indeed worried about my selection for the Asia Cup. So now, the selection has boosted my confidence which I will carry along to the Asia Cup. Given a chance there, I will definitely try to do good for the team.
Rohit: What have your conversations with Suryakumar Yadav been like regarding your role in the team?
Rinku: Bhau (brother) has supported me a lot. He speaks to all the players which provides a lot of confidence, and it’s the same for myself. Just like GG Sir (Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach), Surya is also like a guiding figure behind us all, who always gives the liberty to play freely. I have played all my cricket under Surya and he knows well about my role, capability and where I fit in the team.
Rohit: You have started contributing with the ball a lot more than before recently. Has this been a part of your plan, to be able to pitch in with the ball when needed or compensate with a few wickets when it’s an otherwise bad day with the bat?
Rinku: Yes, I felt this in Sri Lanka when the series didn’t go as expected for me. I got out early and contributed with the ball when given a chance to bowl, so I realised this. Bowling is an important factor in today’s cricket, and our selectors at present definitely want this one quality in the players – which is to be able to take 2-3 wickets when there is a dire need or be able to fit into as many roles in as many situations as possible.
Rohit: How are you preparing for the Asia Cup? Do you introspect on your past not-so-good performances/seasons? If yes, then how do you plan to add in the skills that you lack?
Rinku: Yes, a lot of work is going on to better my batting, for example, at the KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders) Academy with Abhishek (Nayar) Sir.
Rohit: Can you give us a bit of an idea on that training?
Rinku: We are working on the short ball, sweep shot, clap shot etcetera. If I have performed well in 2023, then people would expect to see that again from me. Hence, I am working on strengthening my weak points. Working on improving my shots at KKR Academy so that I can gain expertise in every kind of shot and walk into the upcoming tournaments confidently.
Rohit: Where and how do you place the contribution and role of KKR in your journey, and a player retained at great cost by them?
Rinku: Yes, KKR has supported me right from 2018 when I started playing for them. Despite my low phase in the earlier years and knee injury in 2021 (when KKR reached the final), KKR didn’t leave my side and even got me treated for my injury. I was away from cricket for seven months, of which there was 3.5 months of constant rehab and hard work in Mumbai. I had a good domestic season around that time, had a good IPL season in 2022 and obviously the constant backing from KKR was there. Together, these things boosted my confidence. When you go in with a lot of hard work and belief, things are bound to turn out good.
Rohit: How does Rinku Singh see himself in KKR, now that he is the poster boy, and a highly paid important player? How differently do people look at you now?
Rinku: I didn’t feel a change much, because it was never about money for me. And about people and their point of view, it’s up to them. They speak both good and bad. One day, you play well, they will speak well about you. And the next day, when you fail, a there will be hate comments on social media platforms. So, these things happen and don’t matter to me much.
Rohit: The audience has a common question for you, and that is about your comment on Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) receiving the National Award.
Rinku: What can I say about him? He has always, since day 1, been the kind and big-hearted man that he is. Always meets everyone with a hug, whether they are senior or junior to him, and I feel that’s what makes him a great person. There was one incident when I was not selected and was on standby. The team had left, and I had to go for the visa. Shah Rukh Sir had to travel the next day as well. I was ready to leave by myself, but Sir’s secretary, Pooja (Dadlani) ma’am might have come to know about my situation. She asked me to join him (SRK), which I rejected initially as I was really embarrassed. Then sir asked me himself, so I couldn’t reject any further. I travelled with him in his car and then on a chartered flight for the first time.
Rohit: What was the conversation like with him?
Rinku: We spoke in the car, and as I wasn’t having a great season that year, he was making me understand a lot of things. He said things like “we are all the same” and “people know you as much as they know me”. He motivated me a lot, and It was an an amazing two hours for me.
Rohit: You and Kuldeep (Yadav) are good friends, but was it planned as well that you both got engaged within a span of just 4 -5 days?
Rinku: [Laughs] Kuldeep’s wedding got delayed due to certain situations, but no, the closeness of the dates wasn’t something we planned.
Rohit: How are you preparing for the Indian team going forward? Are you going to do anything to remove this tag of a finisher that you have, someone who is only sent in after the 16th over?
Rinku: No, I am not thinking about that, as I know I have done good in 2023 IPL. I batted at No. 5 and made three 50s [four in all]. I’ve played 33 [T20I] matches for team India till now, so I know I can do well at any spot and not just as a finisher. Yes, it does feel bad to go in lower down the order, but all I think about is utilizing as many balls as I am getting and doing good for both the team and myself.
Rohit: Thank you so much for talking.
Watch the full interview where
🚨Rinku Singh: On Asia Cup, SRK’s Support & Breaking the ‘Finisher’ Tag | Exclusive Interview
The @KKRiders batter opens up in an exclusive conversation with @rohitjuglan — from regaining confidence ahead of the Asia Cup, learning under Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir, to… pic.twitter.com/BKQixW8Ghw
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