“Ever since I have hit 5 sixes, I’ve been getting a lot of respect” - Rinku Singh

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh has admitted that he has been getting a lot of respect since his feat of hitting five consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2023. He added that it feels good to be recognized, stating that his family is also pleased with his success.

Rinku was the standout performer for KKR with the bat this season even as the franchise failed to qualify for the playoffs. He hammered 474 runs in 14 matches at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.52, with four half-centuries.

On Saturday, May 20, he played another stupendous knock of 67* off 33 balls to give Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) a massive scare. Chasing 177, KKR finished on 175/7, going down by one run as Lucknow sneaked into the playoffs.

In a post-match press conference, Rinku reflected on a memorable IPL 2023 season and said:

“[My] Family is very happy. People started knowing me from last year when I played a good knock [against LSG]. But, ever since I have hit five sixes, I’ve been getting a lot of respect. A lot of people are now recognizing me. Feels good.”

Rinku grabbed some headlines when he smacked 40 off 15 balls in a losing cause against LSG last year. This season, he stunned everyone by clobbering Gujarat Titans pacer Yash Dayal for five consecutive sixes in the last over of the match to pull off an unbelievable win for his team.

He almost pulled off another incredible win against LSG on Saturday. KKR needed 21 off the last over but fell just short despite Rinku’s heroics.

The finisher admitted that his exploits against GT were playing in his mind and elaborated:

“Those five sixes were at the back of my mind when I was batting. I was very relaxed and thought I will hit the way I have been doing. We needed 21 runs in the last over. I missed one ball, otherwise we would have won.”

With KKR needing 18 off the last three balls, Rinku struck a six. The second ball, however, went for a four. In spite of a maximum off the last delivery, Kolkata could not go past Lucknow’s total.

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“I am not thinking about India selection” - Rinku Singh

Despite his stupendous success in IPL 2023, the 25-year-old is not thinking about an India call-up as of now.

Asked about the same, the left-handed batter said:

“It feels really good when you have this kind of a season. I am not thinking about India selection. I will keep working the way I have been doing and stick to my practice routine.”

Sharing his views on Kolkata’s performance in IPL 2023, Rinku opined:

“We have a good side. We made a couple of mistakes in the batting and bowling departments. A bit of bad luck also cost us a place in the playoffs. Overall, the team did well I feel.”

KKR ended IPL 2023 with six wins and eight losses, finishing seventh in the points table.