Rinku Singh is an Indian cricketer and left handed batsman known for his explosive finishing abilities. Born on October 12, 1997, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, he plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and represents India in T20Is. He gained national fame by hitting five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023.
Rinku Singh has been a key member of India’s T20 World Cup winning squad and hit the winning runs in the Asia Cup 2025 final. He was appointed KKR vice captain for IPL 2026, cementing his status as one of cricket’s most exciting finishers.
Biography & Early Life
- Full Name: Rinku Khanchand Singh
- Born: October 12, 1997, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
- Height: 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
- Family: Son of an LPG delivery man; third of five siblings
- Early struggle: Worked as a sweeper to support his family
Domestic Career
- Uttar Pradesh age group system
- First class debut: 2016–17
- Ranji Trophy 2018–19: Highest run scorer with 953 runs
- Career best 176 against Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy 2025
- 9 first class centuries
IPL Journey
- 2017: Picked by Punjab Kings, didn’t get a game
- 2018: KKR debut (₹80 lakhs)
- 2022: Breakthrough season
- 2023: 474 runs at 59.25 average, strike rate 149.52
- The five sixes: vs Gujarat Titans, needing 28 off 5 balls
- IPL 2026: Appointed vice captain
- Overall IPL stats: 69 matches, 1,336 runs, 6 fifties
International Career
- T20I debut: August 18, 2023 vs Ireland
- ODI debut: December 19, 2023 vs South Africa
- T20I stats: 46 matches, 665 runs, avg 39.12, SR 155.74
- Asia Cup 2025: Hit winning runs in final vs Pakistan
- T20 World Cup 2026: Part of India’s winning squad
Playing Style
- Left handed middle order batsman
- Right arm off break bowler
- Known for power hitting and finishing
- Sharp fielder
- Exceptional temperament under pressure
Major Achievements
- IPL 2023: Most memorable run chase in history
- 2022 Asian Games: Gold medal
- 2025 Asia Cup: Winner (hit winning runs)
- 2026 T20 World Cup: Winner
- KKR vice captain for IPL 2026
Rinku Singh – International Career Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s | Highest Score |
| T20I | 46 | 665 | 39.12 | 155.74 | 3 | 69* |
| ODI | 2 | 55 | 27.50 | 134.15 | 0 | 38 |
Source: BCCI
Rinku Singh – First Class & T20 Career
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | 50s |
| First Class | 52 | 3,677 | 59.30 | 9 | 22 |
| T20 | 177 | 3,441 | 34.06 | 0 | 18 |
Source: Wikipedia
Rinku Singh – IPL Season by Season
| Year | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | 50s |
| 2023 | 14 | 474 | 59.25 | 149.53 | 4 |
| 2024 | 15 | 168 | 18.67 | 148.67 | 0 |
| 2025 | 13 | 206 | 29.43 | 153.73 | 0 |
| 2026 | 10 | 237 | 59.25 | 145.40 | 2 |
| Career | 69 | 1,336 | 33.40 | 145.22 | 6 |
Source: IPLT20
FAQs
1. Who is Rinku Singh?
Rinku Singh is an Indian cricketer born on October 12, 1997, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. He is a left handed middle order batsman who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and represents India in T20Is. He is known for his explosive finishing abilities and has been part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 winning squad.
2. How old is Rinku Singh?
Rinku Singh was born on October 12, 1997, making him 28 years old as of 2026.
3. Which IPL team does Rinku Singh play for?
Rinku Singh plays for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League. He was initially picked by Punjab Kings in 2017 but didn’t get a game. KKR signed him in 2018, and he has been with the franchise since then. He was appointed KKR vice captain for IPL 2026.
4. What is Rinku Singh’s highest IPL score?
Rinku Singh’s highest IPL score is 83 not out, which he achieved in IPL 2026.
5. When did Rinku Singh make his India debut?
Rinku Singh made his T20I debut on August 18, 2023, against Ireland. He made his ODI debut shortly after, on December 19, 2023, against South Africa.
6. How many sixes did Rinku Singh hit against Gujarat Titans?
In IPL 2023, Rinku Singh hit five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal in the final over against Gujarat Titans. KKR needed 28 runs from the last five balls, and he pulled off one of the most dramatic finishes in IPL history.
7. Is Rinku Singh in Team India?
Yes, Rinku Singh is an active member of the Indian cricket team, primarily in the T20I format. He was part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 winning squad and played in the Asia Cup 2025, where he hit the winning runs in the final against Pakistan.
8. What is Rinku Singh’s Ranji Trophy record?
Rinku Singh has been outstanding in Ranji Trophy. In the 2018–19 season, he scored 953 runs, finishing as Uttar Pradesh’s highest run scorer. In November 2025, he scored a career best 176 against Tamil Nadu, following a 165* against Andhra in his previous match.
9. What is Rinku Singh’s playing style?
Rinku Singh is a hard hitting left handed batsman who specializes in finishing innings. He bats in the middle order and is known for his power-hitting, exceptional temperament, and ability to chase down impossible targets. He also bowls right-arm off-break and is a sharp fielder.
10. What are Rinku Singh’s major achievements?
Rinku Singh’s major achievements include winning the T20 World Cup 2026 with India, hitting the winning runs in the Asia Cup 2025 final, winning a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games, and becoming KKR vice captain for IPL 2026. His five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023 remain one of the most iconic moments in tournament history.
CONCLUSION
Rinku Singh’s journey from the streets of Aligarh to the world stage is a testament to the power of perseverance. Born into a modest family, with his father delivering LPG cylinders and his brother driving an auto rickshaw, Rinku’s rise was never guaranteed. Yet through sheer determination and an unshakeable belief in his abilities, he transformed himself from a young boy sweeping floors to one of cricket’s most exciting finishers.
His defining moment – five consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023 – announced his arrival on the biggest stage. Since then, Rinku Singh has only grown in stature. He has become a key figure for Kolkata Knight Riders, earning the vice captaincy for IPL 2026, and has delivered for India in high pressure moments, including the Asia Cup 2025 final and the T20 World Cup 2026 triumph.
What sets Rinku Singh apart is not just his power hitting but his temperament. In an era of big hitters, he remains calm under pressure, making him the ideal finisher. As he continues to evolve his game and push for a place in all formats, one thing is certain – Rinku Singh’s story is far from over. The best chapters of his cricketing journey are still being written.
