"Time uska kharab hota hai": Rinku Singh opens up on his poor performance

Rinku SIngh (Pic: File Pic)

Kolkata Knight Riders and Team India's middle-order batsman Rinku Singh said that it is his dream to win a big trophy for the Indian team and lift it with his own hands.

Rinku is travelling with the Indian team as a reserve for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. The global showpiece is all set to begin in June. After having an outstanding run in the previous IPL season, Rinku Singh has seen an unexpected downfall in the ongoing IPL 2024.

With just 168 runs in 11 innings at an average of 18.66 and a best score of 26, Rinku's IPL 2024 has been a disappointment and can be due to either lack of form or lack of opportunities down the order due to good performances put up by the top order.

But this lack of fine performances in the IPL 2024 and not being named in India's T20 World Cup 2024 main squad has not reduced Rinku's belief in himself.

Rinku Singh who made his national debut in 2023 against Ireland has so far featured in 15 matches scoring 356 runs. He has a strike rate of 176.24 and an average of 89.00. The last time he represented India was during the Afghanistan series in January 2024.

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"Since I have played cricket, I have won some trophies at junior level. But not at the senior level. I am going to the World Cup. I want to hold the WC trophy, I hope we win. My dream is to win a big trophy for my country and lift it in my hands," said Rinku in a video on the IPL website.

Speaking on the idea of someone going through a bad phase, Rinku gave a very optimistic reply, saying, "Time kharab uska hota hai jiske haath pair nahi hote, hamare toh hain. Hamara time kharab nahi hai (Time is bad for someone who does not have his limbs, I have them. I am not going through a bad time).

Reflecting on five successive sixes he hit against Gujarat Titans' in the final over bowled by Yash Dayal to guide KKR to a win in a tense run-chase, Rinku said that these sixes increased the value of his name.

"I used to be wondering all the time if I would get to play further. I used to tell myself that I would do well in the next game and I should keep working hard. I kept working hard. After those five sixes, my life changed. I started getting ads. People started to recognise me. Now I cannot go out alone. It feels good when hoardings of my name are there, when people scream my name. I feel that I have done something in my life," he said.

He jokingly added, "People ask me if Rinku is indeed my name or a name used by my loved ones at home. I tell them it is my real name. Many people tell me that girls have given this name."

The batter said that he never thought that he would ever hit those five sixes, but life made it happen.

"God is somewhere thinking better for you. I would say, God's plan!," he added.

Rinku also opened up on his emotional side saying that he is not emotional, but some movies do bring out the tears from his eyes. He also said that he cried a lot while watching 12th Fail, a movie based on the journey of real-life Indian Police Officer Manoj Kumar Sharma to the post.

"I am not that emotional. But when see movies, watch scenes that motivate me or that involve someone re-unite after a long time, I start crying. I cried a lot when I watched 12th Fail. I could relate to it since I had come from the bottom. When someone's son does well and a movie is made on them, it feels motivating to me," said Rinku.

On playing as a finisher in the middle order, Rinku said, "I have been playing at this number for long (in the middle order at number five or six), I know what to do. The more you keep yourself calm, the more you just react to the ball, it will be easier."

On Tuesday, Rinku Singh's KKR will lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for a direct spot in the IPL 2024 final during the Qualifier one at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Narendra Modi Stadium here promises to be a run-fest, with the match taking place between two trailblazers of the season, who made a habit of hitting fours and sixes, putting up huge totals for fun.

KKR ended the IPL 2024 season at the top with nine wins, three losses and two no results, with a total of 20 points. In their last game, they beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs on May 11. Their final two league-stage games against Gujarat Titans (GT) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) were abandoned due to rain.

SRH is at the second spot, with eight wins, five losses and one no result, giving them 16 points. In their last league stage game on Sunday, they beat Punjab Kings by four wickets.

(With ANI Inputs)