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The Indian Premier League (IPL) sensation Rinku Singh finally received his maiden call-up to the senior team after the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the Ireland tour on Monday (July 31). The news of Rinku’s inclusion left his admirers in delight as the Uttar Pradesh batter’s years of hard work and struggle finally paid off.
It is worth mentioning that Rinku is currently part of India’s squad for Asian Games that will be held in China in September. The 25-year-old cricketer caught the eye of selectors after his sensational outing in the IPL 2023.
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Rinku Singh’s sensational outing in IPL 2023:
Rinku amassed 474 runs in 14 matches, supported by five half-centuries. However, what took the cricket world by storm was the phenomenal finishing skills he showcased throughout the season. The left-handed batter rose to fame after smashing a record five consecutive sixes in the final over of a match during a run chase in the 16th edition of the IPL. His exploit eventually led the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise to register a thrilling victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in that match.
Rinku’s Singh’s emotional reaction to maiden India call-up:
After being selected into the national setup based on his exceptional performance, Rinku now reacted to the maiden call-up and said it feels like a dream to him. He even shared the emotional side of his journey and revealed how he and his family get teary-eyed when they discuss his career.
“Sapne jaisa hi hai (This is like a dream). I don’t want to wake up anytime soon. It’s an amazing feeling, not easy for me to describe in words. I have reached this level from absolutely nothing. I am an emotional person, and every time I talk to my parents, we end up crying,” Rinku was quoted as saying by Indian Express.
Rinku further spoke about the role of the Kolkata-based team in shaping him into a better player and expressed his admiration for the KKR staff.
“I have been with the KKR for six years. I got my chances initially but failed to make those count. I have learned a lot during my early years with the team. I worked hard on my batting with Abhishek Nayar sir at the KKR academy in Mumbai. All that hard work is paying off,” recalled Rinku.
“No other franchise would have kept me after failing regularly, but the KKR team management and Abhishek sir saw something in me that even I couldn’t. I would bat five to six hours everyday in the nets and learnt new shots. I think in those three years, I became an all-round batsman. I did well in the IPL, got recognition, and now am rewarded with an India call-up,” he added.