T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma and Shivam Dude snubbed as Ravi Shastri names the powerful OX of Team India

Former Indian cricketer turned commentator Ravi Shastri had noticed that KKR batter Rinku Singh was as powerful as an Ox during their first interaction in 2018. 

It was the season when Rinku Singh was first picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders on his base price but it took him more than 3 seasons to become a regular starter. It was only last season that Rinku became a household name for his antics as a finisher from the lower middle order for the franchise. 

Rinku Singh's come up to the IPL scene 

The 2-time champions had secured his services for not more than 50 Lakhs during the auctions but in his initial seasons, he could only display some short glimpses. Rinku Singh also had fewer chances to play for the Knight Riders as in his first three seasons, he had the chance to play only 10 games. 

But things started to change from the 2022 season onwards. Rinku Singh was backed to play 7 games for KKR that season and the powerful striker did not miss out on showcasing his worth. The left-hand batter was able to score 174 runs at a strike rate of nearly 149, including 17 fours and 7 sixes. 

Rinku's mind-blowing breakout season 

Then last season, Rinku Singh started to make regular appearances for the Knight Riders and because of that backing, he was able to nullify all the doubts around his talent. Rinku had his best season with the bat in IPL 2023 as he played all of KKR's 14 league matches at the same strike rate. 

The 26-year-old was able to smash 474 runs at a splendid average of 59.25. Half of Rinku Singh's runs had come through boundaries as he had smacked 31 fours and 29 sixes. It means that 298 of his 474 runs in the 2023 season came through boundaries.

His most impressive knock had come during KKR's last-over win against Gujarat Titans wherein Rinku had smeared Yash Dayal for 5 sixes in a row. That entirely changed his fate as he was called up for the Indian National team as a result. At the moment, he is making it to the KKR playing XI but is struggling to get batting time due to the presence of other big hitters in the team. 

What did Ravi Shastri say about Rinku? 

While speaking to the official IPL channel, Ravi Shastri remembered the first time that he met Rinku Singh back in 2018. Shastri had nothing but words of praise for the batter, claiming his physical strength is that of an Ox and his mental strength is extremely resilient. 

Ravi Shastri also claimed that Rinku Singh was very mature and that his antics were such that youngsters were eager to emulate him.  

"I met Rinku Singh and I have been commentating on him seeing him from the outside. When I met him for the first time, he was strong as an ox."

"Very little baggage, excellent temperament and he has got his head on his shoulders. He is so matured that under pressure, he has clarity in his thinking. A lot of the other youngsters want to emulate him, sitting in the crowd, thinking if these guys can do it, we can also do it." - Rinku said via IPLT20.com.