Cricket has its way of testing your temperament before it rewards talent. Patience is the key to success, no matter what life throws your way. For Rinku Singh, the past few months have been exactly that – a period marked by quiet expectations, uncertainty about finding a place in the playing eleven, and constant scrutiny. In a squad full of flashy names, we often end up overlooking him, yet when the pressure peaks, Rinku has repeatedly shown why he belongs at the highest level.
Despite being a regular in the T20I squad, Rinku has repeatedly struggled to cement a place in the Indian playing XI. His last significant T20I appearance was in the series against England in early 2025. He also travelled with the team for the Australian tour and was part of the Asia Cup squad, but he rarely made it to the final XI, barring his cameo appearance in the summit clash, wherein he scored the winning runs,
The southpaw had a below-par IPL season with KKR, managing only 206 runs in 13 matches without registering a single half-century. Needless to say, he came under the radar of trolls and faced constant criticism, with some even writing him off and calling his famous 2023 “5 sixes” magic nothing but a fluke. However, Rinku, the finisher, did not take long to prove everyone wrong.
His performance on Wednesday against New Zealand once again served as a reminder of his finishing brilliance. After a prolonged period of being sidelined and constantly criticized, Rinku managed to turn things around and answer with his bat, smashing an unbeaten 44 off just 20 balls. Batting at an explosive strike rate of 220, he even plundered 21 runs in the final over from Daryl Mitchell (3 sixes and 4 boundaries), leaving New Zealand with no option but to watch and admire his run-fest. His ability to manipulate the field and get his timing right almost every time was a clear indication that he has not lost his lethal edge. He currently has an average of 45 in T20Is and is one of the very few consistent finishers who can operate with a strike rate above 200, launching counter-attacks from the moment he walks in during the death overs.
Mention must also be made of his exceptional fielding skills. Despite dropping a catch, his overall effort in the field was outstanding. From his sharp running and diving to stop crucial runs to his great catch at the boundary to dismiss Kristian Clarke, Rinku keeps showing his commitment on the field. Maintaining the same level of intensity during fielding, even when one knows the game is already in their favour, is no small feat, but his sheer passion and zeal to help his team win are extremely evident.
When he walked in, Rinku took some time to settle, initially giving most of the strike to Hardik Pandya, but he soon realized that he too needed to step up. His straight drive off Jamieson, pull shot against Clarke, and the straight six off Mitchell in the last over were among the many visually pleasing strokes on display in the first T20. The innings was built not just on power but on pure timing. The knock was not just about runs, it was about intent. Given his ability to handle death overs and his elite fitness, Rinku has made a massive statement for his inclusion in the T20 World Cup playing eleven, and fans will surely look forward to seeing him carry this momentum forward in the coming games.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news
