The son of an LPG cylinder delivery man from Aligarh, drowning in family debt, nearly abandoned cricket to work as a domestic helper.
Kings XI Punjab bought him for ₹10 lakh in 2017, then discarded him without a single game.
Today, Rinku Singh stands as the man who hit five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023’s most memorable last-over victory, India’s go-to finisher in white-ball cricket, taking the field at the T20 World Cup 2026 mere hours after his father fought for life on a ventilator support.
From crushing poverty to international stardom, from a Ranji Trophy season averaging 105.88 to Kolkata Knight Riders’ ₹80 lakh gamble paying off spectacularly, Rinku Singh’s journey embodies triumph against impossible odds.
His father Khanchand Singh’s unwavering sacrifice, and the cruel irony of losing his biggest supporter to stage-four cancer just as he lived out their shared World Cup dream.
Rinku Singh Early Life and Cricket Beginnings
Born October 12, 1997, in Aligarh as the third of five siblings, Rinku’s father Khanchand Singh, worked as an LPG cylinder delivery man. Despite financial struggles, Rinku’s talent emerged early.
He represented Uttar Pradesh at under-16, under-19 and under-23 levels. His List A debut came on March 5, 2014, against Vidarbha, scoring 83 runs.
First-class debut followed on November 5, 2016, against Hyderabad. In the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy, he scored 953 runs at 105.88 average, establishing himself as UP’s batting mainstay.
IPL Journey and Iconic Moments
Kings XI Punjab bought Rinku for ₹10 lakh in 2017, but never played him. Kolkata Knight Riders acquired him for ₹80 lakh in 2018, and he made his debut against Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 8, 2018.
However, opportunities remained scarce; he played only four matches in 2018, scoring just 29 runs. The next three seasons brought more bench time than batting practice. His fortunes changed in IPL 2022 when KKR gave him a longer run.
He responded with 172 runs and earned his first Player of the Match award with a 23-ball 42 against Rajasthan Royals. He also played a memorable 15-ball 40 against Lucknow Super Giants, nearly pulling off an improbable chase before falling short by two runs.
His defining moment came on April 9, 2023, when he smashed Yash Dayal for five consecutive sixes, needing 29 runs in the final over against Gujarat Titans, the highest runs scored in IPL’s last over.
He became the first Indian to hit five consecutive sixes in an IPL over. In IPL 2023, he scored 474 runs at a 149.52 strike rate as KKR’s leading run-scorer, finally establishing himself as one of the tournament’s most feared finishers.
| Matches | Innings | NO | Runs | HS | Average | SR | 50s | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 51 | 15 | 1099 | 67* | 30.52 | 145.17 | 4 | 87 | 56 |
International Cricket Career
Rinku Singh made his T20I debut on August 18, 2023, against Ireland, scoring 38 in his second match. He scored his first T20I fifty against South Africa in November 2023.
His breakthrough came on January 17, 2024, with a 190-run partnership with Rohit Sharma against Afghanistan, India’s highest T20I partnership. ODI debut followed on December 19, 2023, against South Africa, where he took Rassie van der Dussen’s wicket with his off-spin.
Part of India’s 2022 Asian Games gold-winning squad, Rinku didn’t play a single match in the 2025 Asia Cup until the final against Pakistan, which everybody called “God’s plan.” He hit the winning runs in Dubai, sealing India’s Asia Cup victory before being selected for the 2026 T20 World Cup.
ODIs Career Stats
| Matches | Innings | Runs | HS | Average | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 55 | 38 | 27.5 | 134.14 | 0 |
T20Is Career Stats
| Matches | Innings | NO | Runs | HS | Average | SR | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 33 | 16 | 665 | 69* | 39.11 | 155.73 | 3 |
Family, Struggle and Triumph
Rinku’s father, Khanchand Singh, worked as an LPG cylinder delivery man in Aligarh, supporting seven family members. With crushing debt, Rinku almost quit cricket to work as a domestic helper. His brother drives an auto-rickshaw.
Despite hardships, Khanchand ensured Rinku pursued cricket. The ₹80 lakh IPL contract in 2018 changed everything, lifting the family from poverty.
Tragically, Khanchand passed away February 27, 2026, from stage-four cancer during the T20 World Cup, just a day after Rinku visited him at hospital. His father’s sacrifices remain the foundation of Rinku’s success.
