Rinku Singh’s Tournament Debut Powers India’s Asia Cup 2025 Win

The thrilling five-wicket victory of India in the ninth Asia Cup final against Pakistan has made every Indian proud, who can’t stop congratulating the Indian team for their best performance. 

Apart from other players from the Indian cricket team, if there is anyone to credit in framing India’s historic victory, it is Rinku Singh, with his impressive tournament debut, who won hearts with his winning runs. 

This Indian cricket player had no prior experience in playing in a single match in the tournament. He replaced Hardik Pandya, who could not play because of an injury. 

Although his entry came as a surprise to everyone, he stunned everyone with his terrific performance, hitting a boundary over mid-on and the sweeping runs that confirmed India’s victory over Pakistan. 

Early Life of Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh's full name is Rinku Khanchand Singh. Born on 12th October 1997 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, the third among his five siblings, his early journey was truly a rags to riches story. 

In Aligarh, he and his family lived in a two-room house inside a gas cylinder warehouse. 

His father worked in an LPG distribution company. There was a time when he did domestic work because his family was under debt. 

The cricketer got engaged to Priya Saroj on 8th June 2025. She is a Samajwadi Party MP and a Parliamentarian.

Highlights of his Sports Career

• Rinku had been an excellent left handed middle-order batsman and right-arm offbreak bowler.
• Rinku had played for Kolkata Knight Riders, Kings XI Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh Under 19.
• His life changed when he was bought for Rs 80 lakh during the IPL auction 2018 by KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders).
• He further proved his mettle in IPL 2022, and became a top scorer with 474 runs for the team.
• Apart from it, this left-handed batsman shined in other formats too. The score of 953 runs in Ranji Trophy 2018 -19, and six innings with a hundred plus and four fifties in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021 -22 match.
• With these successes, Rinku Singh T20I debut in 2023 T20I match proved him an efficient finisher.
• Later on, he also played for ODI, stumping down a wicket in the first over, and two during his part-time offspin.
• However, Rinku also faced a rough time, when he was suspended by BCCI for 3 months followed by his match he played without permission in the Ramadan T20 Cup in Abu Dhabi.
• Once due to knee injury, Rinku Singh could not play for KKR in 2021, and was replaced by Gurkeerat Singh Mann.
• However, in February, KKR again retained him, and then he played for them in IPL 2022. His performance was good that led him to earn Man of the Match for the first time.
• He received a cheque for one lakh when playing against Rajasthan Royals. He scored 42 runs in 23 balls. Rinku also made a record when he played against Gujarat Titans.
• During this IPL match, he scored 5 sixes in the final over, creating 29 runs successfully, till the time he was knocked out by Yash Dayal. In the IPL history, it was known to be the highest-ever chase in the last over.