Rinku Singh reveals whether or not will he be available for KKR's next IPL match

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hard-hitting batter Rinku Singh opened up about his injury and availability after his team suffered a 2-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 31st game of the ongoing IPL 2024 at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday, April 16.

Rinku didn’t take the field when the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were defending 223 runs against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Eden Gardens, which raises speculations over his fitness. However, after the KKR vs. RR match, Rinku revealed that he was carrying a niggle, so he was not fielding.

Rinku Singh said at the post-match press conference in Kolkata: “I have a bit of a niggle. That’s why I have not been able to field. In the next match, which is on April 21, I will field.”

Rinku Singh lauded Sunil Narine for his explosive batting

The KKR star also lauded his teammate Sunil Narine for his impressive performance with the bat in the ongoing IPL 2024 while revealing the key to his transformation as an opener. Rinku credited Narine's success as an opener to his relentless dedication and hard work during practice sessions.

Rinku also opened up about the one change he observed in Narine's approach: his enhanced patience at the crease. The West Indies all-rounder was earlier known for swinging at every delivery, but now he plays his shots carefully and according to the delivery. Rinku stressed that Narine's batting looks more thoughtful and strategic in the ongoing IPL 2024.

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Meanwhile, the left-hander claimed that he has not had many chances with the bat so far this season, but whenever he gets the opportunity, he will try to make the most of it. Rinku also recalled the five sixes he hit in the last over off Yash Dayal against the Gujarat Titans last year.

I am not getting many chances this season: Rinku Singh

He smashed an unbeaten 20 runs off nine balls with the help of one four and two sixes against Rajasthan. He has so far amassed only 83 runs at an average of 27.67 and a strike rate of 162.75 in six games for KKR.

Rinku noted: “That day was my day. It was a very good feeling (5 sixes in 2023). But, in this season, I have not been able to get a lot of chances to bat. The top-order batters are doing very well, for instance, Narine today. Whatever opportunities, I get, I will try to score in them.”

🚨Excerpts from the Rinku Singh Press conference

▪️Unable to present myself much as top order has been brilliant.

▪️Have a Niggle so far, will be fielding in the next match.

▪️Both teams played good cricket, luck went their way & Jos won it for them. pic.twitter.com/WAGjesTdRK

— KKR Vibe (@KnightsVibe) April 17, 2024

The 26-year-old batter also credited Jos Buttler (107*) for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) 2-wicket win over the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens. He also mentioned that both teams played well in cricket, but Buttler was the difference in the game, and he won the match for the Royals on Tuesday.

Notably, KKR, despite the close defeat to RR, remains in the second spot in the IPL 2024 points table with 8 points from 6 games, and they will next face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on April 21 at the Eden Gardens in the ongoing IPL 2024.