Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) star Rinku Singh started his journey of becoming a legend as a "finisher" by playing one-in-a-million knocks against Gujarat Titans (GT) in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. Rinku pulled off a memorable heist by hitting five back-to-back sixes in 20th over vs GT in match 13 of IPL 2023 and ever since that head start, the talented youngster continued his form, establishing himself as one of the most reliable and consistent performers for Shah Rukh Khan-owned KKR. The 25-year-old from Aligarh once again made headlines with his cameo, hitting a boundary off the last ball to take Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) home, seal a 5-wicket win over PBKS on Monday (May 8). Fans at Eden Gardens acknowledged Rinku's batting heroics with loud 'Rinku... Rinku' chants like they used to and still do for legendary finisher Andre Russell.
Reacting to Rinku Singh's last-over exploits vs PBKS, KKR captain Nitish Rana said he was happy and proud seeing the crowd go 'Rinku... Rinku'.
"Main sirf usko yahi bol raha hun ki believe rakh apne pe, kyunki jo tune kiya hai voh shayad life mein bahut players nahi kar paayenge, aur agar tu voh kar sakta hai toh kuch bhi kar sakta hai. Jab voh batting kar raha hai, poora crowd Rinku Rinku bol raha tha, mere khayal se isne wahi kamaya hai iss saal (I keep telling him to believe in himself, because what you have done (5 sixes in KKR vs GT game), don't think anyone ever will. So if you can do that, you can do anything. When he was batting, the whole crowd was going 'Rinku Rinku' and I think this is what he has earned this season)," Nitish Rana said at the post-match presentation.
Chasing 179 for the win, KKR got off to a solid start. When Nitish Rana (51 off 38) got out in 16th over, his team required 51 runs for the win with hard-hitters Andre Russell and Rinku Singh in the middle. The duo hit four maximums and three boundaries in next three overs. The equation went down to Kolkata needing six runs off last six balls. After Andre Russell was run out, fans at Eden Gardens started began chanting ‘Rinku, Rinku’ and the talented youngster did not disappoint.
"Mere goosebumps khade ho jaate hain yeh dekh ke ki yahi Rinku ne kamaya hai. 6 saal ho gaye mujhe yahaan khelte hue, pehle jab Russell Russell bolte the toh accha lagta tha kyunki Russell ne voh sab pehle Kiya hua hai but ab jab poora crowd Rinku Rinku bolta hai mujhe bahut khushi hoti hai (I get goosebumps seeing that. I have been with this franchise for six years. Earlier when the crowd chanted 'Russell Russell', it felt good seeing that since he has done that time and again but when they do the same with Rinku, I just feel very happy for him," he added.