Rinku Singh is set to begin his captaincy journey by leading Uttar Pradesh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over domestic cricket competition, starting on December 21, according to ESPNcricinfo. The young cricketer takes over the leadership role from veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who captained the team during the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Uttar Pradesh’s journey in that tournament ended in the quarter-finals, where they faced a defeat against Delhi.
This marks Rinku’s first opportunity to lead a senior state team. However, he is not entirely new to the captaincy role, as he successfully guided the Meerut Mavericks to victory in the UPT20 League. In that tournament, Rinku made significant contributions, primarily as a finisher, scoring 210 runs in nine innings at an impressive strike rate of 161.54.
Rinku Singh Reflects on His Captaincy Journey
“It was a big opportunity for me to lead Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League, and I am happy that I could deliver. I really enjoyed captaincy as it allowed me to learn many things,” Rinku shared ahead of the Vijay Hazare Trophy opener, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
He also revealed his plans to broaden his skillset by focusing on bowling: “I did try my hand at bowling [offspin] too at the UPT20 league. Present-day cricket demands a full package – a cricketer who can bat, bowl, and field. Now, I am focusing on my bowling too. As captain of Uttar Pradesh, I have got a bigger role to play, and I’m ready for this.”
Eyes on Future Leadership Roles
Rinku’s emergence as a leader comes at a time when IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are considering potential captaincy candidates for the 2025 season. The franchise has retained key players, including Rinku, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Ramandeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, and Harshit Rana, ahead of the mega auction in Jeddah.
However, Rinku remains focused on his immediate goals. “I am not thinking too much about the captaincy of KKR in the new IPL season. I am focused on my plans for Uttar Pradesh, as I want my team to regain the trophy we had won for the first time in 2015-16,” he said.
Also Read: Top 3 RCB Stars Who Excelled in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2024
Consistent Performances and National Team Aspirations
Since his memorable IPL moment of striking five consecutive sixes, Rinku has consistently showcased his talent. He has become a regular in T20 formats but is yet to cement his spot in India’s ODI setup.
Rinku has played two ODIs for India and boasts impressive List-A statistics, amassing 1,899 runs in 52 innings at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 94.8. His record includes one century and 17 half-centuries.
Reflecting on his journey, Rinku remarked, “I believe in God. I didn’t even think of being part of Team India when I struck five consecutive sixes in the IPL last year. That turned out to be the biggest game-changer in my life. Even now, I feel that if God has decided something for me, I will get that surely. But at the same time, I also need to work hard on my job.”
With the Vijay Hazare Trophy ahead, Rinku Singh aims to make a lasting impact, both as a leader and a player, further solidifying his position as one of India’s brightest cricketing talents.