KKR batsman Rinku Singh did the unthinkable as he smashed 5 sixes in 5 balls to Gujarat Titans‘ Yash Dayal when 28 runs were required off the last 5 balls in their encounter on Sunday at the Narendra Modi stadium.
The left-hander smashed 48*(21) to seal the chase of 205 runs in what is one of the most famous finishes in the IPL history.
These 30 runs by Rinku Singh are now the most runs scored by a batsman in the last over of a successful run-chase in the IPL, going past Rohit Sharma – 22 vs KKR, 2009 and MS Dhoni – 22 vs PBKS, 2016.
However, the story of Rinku Singh is as incredible as his finish versus Gujarat. His tale of rags to riches, and from being asked to the menial jobs like mopping and sweeping the floor to hogging the limelight in the biggest T20 league in the world – it’s simply incredible.
Here are some lesser-known parts of Rinku Singh’s mind-blowing journey:
Rinku Singh was born in 1997 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh to Khanchand Singh. Rinku’s father used to deliver LPG cylinders from an LPG gas agency in Lucknow to feed his family of 5 children, and they all lived in the gas agency’s storage compound of two rooms.
Growing up as a teenager in a family where getting 2 proper meals a day was not a regular scene, Rinku’s brother got him a sweeper and cleaner job.
However, he refused to do it and instead continued to pursue his dream to become a professional cricketer. He understood that he didn’t have any academic background – he’s a 9th fail – and only had cricket to lean onto.
When Rinku started playing cricket, he faced immense challenges, but his zeal and love for the game kept him going. He won a motorbike for being the best player at a local tournament in Delhi, which he gave to his father for distributing the heavy gas cylinders.
His family also had debt, so whatever he made from playing cricket in local and club tournaments, it went to paying off that debt first.
Then came a life-changing day and a financial turning point in his and his family’s life when in the 2017 IPL auction, Kings XI Punjab picked him for 10 lakh.
He didn’t get to play any game that season, but he was making mark in domestic cricket. A dream day in the 2018 IPL auction saw KKR buy his services for INR 80 lakh!
“Socha tha 20 lakh mein jaoonga, (thought I would get 20 lakhs), but I was picked up for 80! The first thought that came to the mind was that I can contribute in my big brother’s wedding, and save up something for my sister’s wedding too. Aur ek achhe se ghar mein shift ho jaoonga (and I will move into a good house),” Rinku had told Indian Express after the IPL 2018 auction. KKR rebought him for 55 lakh in the IPL 2022 mega-auction.
It has only been rise and rise for Rinku Singh since then.
Rinku Singh domestic record, T20 and IPL stats:
In 18 IPL innings so far, Rinku Singh has scored 349 runs at a strike rate of 139 with a best of 48. He has now played 40 first-class matches wherein he has a terrific record: 2875 runs at an average of 59 and strike rate of 70; he’s hit 7 centuries and 19 fifties in FC cricket.
In 50 List-A matches, Rinku averages 53 at a strike rate of 95; he’s scored over 1300 T20 runs at a strike rate of 139. Rinku also bowls handy part-time off-spin.
