Left-handed India batsman Rinku Singh joined the tally of the rare cricketers who won a Man of the Match award in their debut innings.
The young KKR batsman who became a household name during the IPL 2023, smashed 38 runs off 21 balls with the help of 3 sixes and 2 sixes on his maiden T20I knock, in the 2nd T20I against Ireland in Dublin. He had made his debut in the first T20I but didn’t get a chance to bat.
Rinku had started steadily his innings: he was 15* runs off 15 balls at the end of the 18th over. In the last two overs, though, the left-hander created havoc and hammered some eye-catching sixes and fours to help India’s total to over 180 after a steady half-century from opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. His power-packed show even eked out chants of “Rinku Rinku” from the Indians fans in Dublin.
India won the match comfortably in the end by 33 runs and Rinku Singh duly got the Man of the Match award.
Rinku Singh and Jasprit Bumrah engage in funny conversation
Since Rinku is not fluent in English, India captain Jasprit Bumrah stepped up to be the translator as Rinku Singh talked with host Alan Wilkins.
At the end of the conversation, Wilkins asked if he listens to his captain Bumrah. Bumrah, who is leading India for the first time in T20Is, asked jokingly if he listens to him in Hindi.
“Captain ki baat sunta hai (Do you listen to your captain?).” Bumrah asked.
Rinku Singh had a hearty chuckle before replying “I listen to the captain (smiles). I am feeling very nice. I have been playing for 10 years. All my efforts have borne fruition. I am happy to get the Man of the Match award in my first game,” the youngster said.
The third T20I on Wednesday will present another chance for Rinku Singh to make an impact in Indian colors. He will further then travel to China later on for the Asian Games.
