Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh thinks Rinku Singh is the next X-factor for the two-time IPL winner Kolkata Knight Riders and that they should look beyond Andre Russell.
Harbhajan supported the uncapped Indian and said that he is of different level and should make his national team debut soon. The two had spent time together in the KKR dressing room during the 2021 IPL season.
“Rinku is now KKR’s X-factor, replacing Russell as such. Russell’s time is passed. Now is Rinku’s time. Rinku is capable of doing his job well even if he is sent up. We will soon see an India cap on his head because he is a player of another caliber, Harbhajan said on Star Sports’ Cricket Live.
In IPL 2023, Rinku has been one of KKR’s assets, resolutely playing the finisher’s position for the two-time winners. The high point of his brief career so far has been his five sixes against Yash Dayal of the Gujarat Titans in the final over.
In 14 games of the IPL 2023, the southpaw from Aligarh scored 474 runs with a strike rate of 149.52 and an average of 59.52. Ravi Shastri, a former India head coach, also praised Rinku. “Rinku Singh is Kolkata Knight Riders’ hero.
His temperament is quite robust, and he feels at ease in challenging circumstances. He is an experienced player. The fact that Rinku enjoys playing in tight games and performs well under pressure sets him apart from the competition, according to Shastri.
The 25-year-old even put KKR on the verge of victory in their last league match against Lucknow Super Giants on Saturday at Eden Gardens by slamming an unbeaten 67 off only 33 balls. By only 1 run, KKR lost the game.