Rinku Singh played a breezy cameo and stitched a crucial partnership with Nitish Rana to help Kolkata Knight Riders snap their losing streak of five matches. Kolkata chased down a target of 153 set up by Rajasthan Royals in 19.1 overs with seven wickets to spare. 

When Rinku came to bat, Kolkata needed 61 runs from the last seven overs. He didn’t waste any time settling in, and hit his first ball to the third-man boundary. With Nitish Rana stuck at the other end, it was Rinku Singh who had to ensure that Kolkata didn’t fall far behind the asking rate. 

Rinku struck six fours and a six enroute an unbeaten 42, and won his first Player Of The Match award. In a chat with Nitish Rana, Rinku revealed that he wrote “50” on his palm and had premonitions that he will get “Player Of The Match”. While the mediocre target didn’t allow him to reach 50, Rinku’s second prediction did come true.

In the video posted by Kolkata Knight Riders, Rana asked “What have you written on your hands?” 

“I was feeling like I would score runs today, be the man of the match and I myself wrote 50 with my own hand.. and made heart,” replied Rinku.

Rinku made his IPL debut back in 2018, but since then has featured on only 13 occasions for Kolkata. In the post-match interview, the UP cricketer talked about how he has waited for over five years to get a regular chance in playing XI.

“A lot of players have played Ranji from Aligarh, but I am the first to play in the IPL. This is a big league and there is a lot of pressure obviously. I have been waiting for the last five years to get a chance.”

Kolkata’s next game will be against Lucknow Super Giants at MCA Stadium, on May 7.