KOLKATA: Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rinku Singh speaks much like the way he plays the game — keeping it simple. In this age when both batters and bowlers are adding newer weapons to their arsenal by continuous improvisation, Rinku prefers to walk a different path.
“I keep it simple and play normal shots. I think if I try something extra it will affect my batting,” he stated on Wednesday. Just a day earlier, Andre Russell said that Rinku has a shot for every delivery. “It’s all about playing according to the merit of the ball. I just back my shots,” Rinku maintained.
The 25-year-old is enjoying his new-found star status after his last-ball heroics took KKR home in two crucial matches in this IPL. However at the same time, he is staying focussed on the job at hand. “Yes, I was hearing the ‘Rinku, Rinku’ chant during the last match (against Punjab Kings), but my focus was only on the last ball,” he said.
According to the Aligarh boy, his pre-season training is paying dividends now. “I worked hard during the pre-season at the KKR Academy in Mumbai with special emphasis on death-over batting,” he said.
Coming in at No. 5, 6 or 7, Rinku is playing the finisher’s role well. “I am okay with my batting order. I usually play at similar positions for Uttar Pradesh also,” he said. Although he did not follow anyone in particular, the youngster idolises his statemate Suresh Raina.
Rinku also approached former India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for some tips. “He’s the world’s best finisher. I just asked him ‘bhaiya’ what else I can do while batting at the death. He advised me not to think much and just wait and play on the merit of the ball,” Rinku said.
