India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) middle-order batsman Rinku Singh remains optimistic despite a disappointing IPL season and not being selected for the main squad of the ICC T20 World Cup.
After a stellar 2023 season where he scored 474 runs at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.52, Rinku’s performance in 2024 has dipped, accumulating just 168 runs in 11 innings. His best score this season has been a modest 26, attributed to either a lack of form or limited opportunities due to the top order’s good performance.
However, Rinku, who is traveling as a reserve player with the Indian squad for the World Cup, remains motivated. “Since I have played cricket, I have won some trophies at junior level. But not at the senior level. I am going to the World Cup. I want to hold the WC trophy, I hope we win. My dream is to win a big trophy for my country and lift it in my hands,” he shared in a video on the IPL website.
Reflecting on his form, Rinku gave an optimistic reply, saying, “Time kharab uska hota hai jiske haath pair nahi hote, hamare toh hain. Hamara time kharab nahi hai.”
Rinku made a significant impact in 2023 when he hit five successive sixes against Gujarat Titans‘ Yash Dayal, a feat that changed his life. “After those five sixes, my life changed. I started getting ads. People started to recognise me. Now I cannot go out alone. It feels good when hoardings of my name are there, when people scream my name. I feel that I have done something in my life,” he said.
Despite his challenges, Rinku remains focused on his goal of winning a major trophy. He is also looking forward to the upcoming IPL Qualifier against Sunrisers Hyderabad, a match that promises to be a high-scoring affair given both teams’ penchant for hitting big totals.
Rinku’s journey from junior-level success to dreaming of lifting a senior-level trophy exemplifies his resilience and determination to succeed on the big stage.
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