Rinku Singh has been a revelation for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season, and his performance against Gujarat Titans (GT) in the reverse fixture was a dream come true for the Uttar Pradesh-based batter. With KKR needing 29 runs in the last over, Rinku smashed five sixes off Yash Dayal's bowling to give his team an unpredictable win.
And one former KKR batter feels that his performances will soon lead to a place in the national team, given the consistency with which he performs for the Kolkata-based franchise.
Former Australia all-rounder David Hussey is of the opinion that Rinku Singh has every chance of playing for India in the future. "Rinku Singh is a phenomenal talent. He has been doing well in domestic cricket and the KKR franchise has backed him well. He's grown in his confidence and taking his game to the next level. Hopefully, he gets to play for India soon," Hussey was quoted as saying on Star Sports Cricket Live.
The left-handed middle-order batter has been a part of the KKR squad since IPL 2018 but it was only in 2021 that he began getting regular chances for the two-time IPL champions.
The 25-year-old is the second-highest run-scorer for KKR this season, having smashed 251 runs from eight matches at an average of 62.75 and a strike rate of 158.86. Meanwhile, Hussey played for the Knights and was also a part of their team management.
In IPL 2023, Rinku has been stupendous, especially while batting in the lower middle order. The left-handed batter has two half-centuries to his name. He also pulled off a stupendous effort against the Gujarat Titans (GT) earlier this month against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
With 28 runs needed off the last five balls, Rinku hit fast bowler Yash Dayal for five sixes in a row. The Knights won the match by three wickets. Dayal ended up conceding 31 runs in that over and hasn't played a game since then.
He will be key when the two sides meet for a second time in IPL 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, April 29.
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