Rinku Singh makes a big statement on prospects of captaining KKR in IPL 2025, says 'I am focused on my plans for...'

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Rinku Singh makes a big statement on prospects of captaining KKR in IPL 2025, says 'I am focused on my plans for...'
Rishabh Pant (L) and Rinku Singh speak at the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy cricket stadium in Visakhapatnam on April 3, 2024.

Story Highlights:

KKR are yet to announce their captain for IPL 2025.

Venkatesh Iyer has expressed his desire to captain KKR.

Rinku Singh has been named Uttar Pradesh's captain for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are yet to announce their captain for the next edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. A few captaincy candidates in the team are Rinku Singh, Venkatesh Iyer and Ajinkya Rahane. While they went all out to rope in Venkatesh, Rinku was one of the retentions. Months ahead of the next IPL edition, Rinku has been named Uttar Pradesh captain for Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25. However, Rinku is not thinking too far ahead and wants to focus on the domestic One-Day competition. 

“I am not overthinking about the captaincy of KKR in the new IPL season,” he told ESPNCricinfo.

 

 

 

“I am focused on my plans for Uttar Pradesh, as I want my team to regain the trophy we had won for the first time in 2015-16.”

 

 

Rinku on becoming off-spin all-rounder

Recently, he captained Meerut Mavericks and led them to Uttar Pradesh T20 (UPT20) League title. 

The 27-year-old who has bowled one over reach in ODIs, T20Is and taken three wickets wants to work on his off-spin. Rinku said that he wants to try his hand at bowling to become a full package.

"It was a big opportunity for me to lead Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League, and I am happy that I could deliver. I really enjoyed captaincy as it allowed me to learn many things," the left-handed batter said.

 

 

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"I did try my hand at bowling [offspin] too at the UPT20 league. Present-day cricket demands a full package - a cricketer who can bat, bowl and field. Now I am focusing on my bowling too. As captain of Uttar Pradesh, I have got a bigger role to play, and I'm ready for this."

 

 

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Rinku on making place in ODI squad

Rinku who made his ODI debut in 2023 is not looking at Vijay Hazare Trophy as an opportunity to audition for a permanent spot ahead of Champions Trophy 2025. 

"I believe in God," he said. "I didn't even think of being part of team India when I struck five consecutive sixes in the IPL last year. That turned out to be the biggest game changer in my life. Even now I feel that if God has decided something for me, I will get that surely. But at the same time, I also need to work hard on my job."