Not MS Dhoni Or Sachin Tendulkar! KKR Star Rinku Singh Names His Cricketing Idol

After a memorable IPL season with KKR, Rinku Singh is all set to wear the Blue jersey for the first time as Ruturaj Gaikwad-captained India aims for a maiden cricket medal in the Hangzhou Games.

In IPL 2023, Rinku Singh scored 474 runs in 14 innings of 14 matches at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.53. ( Image Source :PTI )

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced the Indian squad for the 2023 Asian Games in China's Hangzhou. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Rinku Singh, who rose to fame by hitting five back-to-back sixes in IPL 2023, was named in India's Asian Games 2023 squad. The squad announcement came in as a huge relief for Rinku and his fans after the talented  youngster missed out on a call-up to India's T20 team for the West Indies tour. After a memorable IPL season with KKR, the Southpaw is all set to wear the Blue jersey for the first time as Ruturaj Gaikwad-captained India aims for a maiden cricket medal in the Hangzhou Games.

Meanwhile, ahead of his much-awaited India debut, Rinku Singh, during his interaction with RevSportz, named Suresh Raina as the player he looked up to, revealing that he is in regular contact with Raina and Harbhajan Singh.

"Suresh Raina has been my idol. I am regularly in touch with him. He is the IPL King and he keeps sharing his inputs with me. He has helped me a lot in my career. Bhajju pa (Harbhajan Singh) has also helped me a lot in my career. I am grateful for their support and whenever such big players talk about you, it motivates you to push yourself more," said Rinku in an interaction to RevSportz.

Rinku said there will be tears when he wears the jersey for the first time.

"Everyone dreams to play for India, wear that jersey. I don't think a lot about the future because the more you think, the more burden you put yourself under. I take life as one day at a time. But yes, whoever takes up professional sports wants to represent their country one day or the other. I know for the fact that my family, my parents will be happier than me to see me wear the Indian jersey. They have been waiting for this for years now. They have seen my struggle, they have helped me, been with me through all my ups and downs. The day I don the jersey will be a day dedicated to them," said Rinku.

"I am a strong guy but a bit emotional as well. I am pretty sure there will be some tears when I wear the India jersey for the first time. It has been a long and a tough journey," the KKR star added.

In IPL 2023, Rinku Singh scored 474 runs in 14 innings of 14 matches at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.53.