Gautam Gambhir’s Incredible Gesture For Rinku Singh Has Won Many Hearts: Rinku Singh’s spectacular innings of 40 runs off just 15 balls against the Lucknow SuperGiants went in vain as the Kolkata Knight Riders fell 2 runs short of LSG’s total of 210, and consequently got knocked out from the playoff race at the DY Patil Stadium on Wednesday.
Needing 53 from 17 balls, Rinku Singh whacked Avesh Khan, Jason Holder and Marcus Stoinis, especially preferring his leg side strength and brought the equation to 3 runs required off the last two balls.
However, Stonis kept his nerve and bowled full outside off which Rinku sliced on the offside and Evin Lewis took a one-handed stunner to end Rinku’s thrilling knock. Stoinis yorked out Umesh Yadav as LSG won by just two runs and sealed their playoff berth while ending KKR’s season.
Gautam Gambhir’s great gesture for a crying Rinku Singh
Rinku Singh has had his breakthrough IPL season and played a couple of memorable knocks. This one too will be memorable, but with a tinge of glum that he couldn’t take KKR over the line after bringing them so close.
After Stonis bowled Umesh, the Lucknow dugout erupted in joy and celebration. Gautam Gambhir, LSG’s mentor, was overjoyed and pumped and celebrated the victory, and playoff qualification, with gusto rarely seen by the former India batsman.
On the other side, Rinku Singh broke into tears and was spotted being really emotional. Upon seeing Rinku get emotional, Gambhir went up to him and consoled him, stopping him from bursting out. Hearing words of praise and confidence from a legend like Gambhir, the 24-year old instantly stopped crying and joined his team in the dugout.
Shreyas Iyer, the KKR skipper, was effusive in praise for Rinku Singh.
“I am not feeling sad at all. That was one of the best games of cricket I have played. The way we should our character and attitude was simply outstanding. I love the way Rinku got us till the end but unfortunately couldn’t time it when two balls were remaining, he was really sad. I was hoping he could finish the game for us and could have been the hero, but still played a fantastic knock and I am really happy for him,” Iyer said at the post-match presentation.
