Rinku Singh. (Photo Source: Instagram)
Indian star batter and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) hero Rinku Singh is riding high after KKR lifted their third IPL title after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by eight wickets on May 26. However, he has now shifted his focus towards representing the Indian team in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.
While not part of India’s 15-member squad, the explosive finisher has been named as one of the traveling reserves along with Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed. In 15 T20Is, he has scored 356 runs at a strike rate of 176.23. The 26-year-old could get his chance on the big stage if any injuries occur.
After the World Cup squad announcement, Rinku has a conversation with Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Rinku revealed that he felt a bit bad to not make it to the final 15 but the conversation with Sharma motivated him to work even harder.
“Yes, anyone feels a little sad if they are not selected despite good performance. However, this time the selection could not take place due to team combination. No matter what, one should not think too much about what is not in one’s hands. Yes, I was a little worried in the beginning. Whatever happens, happens only for good. Rohit bhaiya did not say anything special. All he said was to just keep working hard. There is the World Cup again after two years. There is no need to worry more. That’s all he said to me,” Rinku said in an exclusive interview with Jagran.
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My only dream now is for team India to win the trophy: Rinku Singh
He also said that after lifting the IPL trophy with the KKR side, he is very much confident to lift the T20 World Cup trophy with the Men in Blue.
“Yes, I am going. I have to leave on the 28th. This is my dream to contribute whatever I can to the team. That will be good for me and also good for the team. Now I want our team to win the World Cup. My dream is also that we win the World Cup. Winning the World Cup is a big thing. Coming from where I come from, even living in a reserve is a big thing for me. My only dream now is for Team India to win the trophy and for me to lift that trophy. It is a big thing for me that from the place I am from, it is a big thing to make a place in the reserve,” he added.
Also read: I will also be lifting the World Cup: Rinku Singh
The left-hand batter spoke about his experience playing under Gautam Gambhir’s mentorship in the 17th edition of the cash-rich league.
“This time we had a very good IPL season. It was a lot of fun working with Gautam Gambhir sir. Learned a lot from him. The team atmosphere was very good this time. What could be better than that we become champions? Now it will be fun if we win more World Cup trophies,” he concluded.