Rinku Singh’s recent heroics in the Ranji Trophy have propelled him into an elite bracket of Indian cricketers. His remarkable unbeaten 165 for Uttar Pradesh against Andhra Pradesh in the 2025–26 season opener at Kanpur’s Green Park saw his first-class batting average rise from 54.68 to an outstanding 57.39.
This leap placed him above legends like Rahul Dravid, Saba Karim, and current Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal among India’s all-time top first-class batting averages (minimum 50 innings).
Rinku now holds the tenth spot on this prestigious list, underscoring his consistency and determination in the domestic circuit. His brilliant innings comes at a crucial time, just weeks before India’s T20I tour of Australia, strengthening his case for a long-term international role.
A Dominant Knock Against Andhra Pradesh
In the Ranji Trophy opener, Andhra skipper Ricky Bhui won the toss and chose to bat first. His side got off to a commanding start as KS Bharat (142) and Shaik Rasheed (136) put up a massive 194-run partnership for the second wicket, setting a challenging tone for Uttar Pradesh. However, the momentum shifted when UP bowlers struck back, leaving Andhra struggling at 220/6. At that stage, Rinku Singh, batting on 36*, took charge of the innings with admirable composure.
Displaying a blend of aggression and control, he stitched crucial lower-order partnerships — first with Vipraj Nigam (42) and later with Shivam Sharma (36). While his partners provided steady resistance, Rinku led the counterattack, turning the tables on Andhra’s bowlers with his relentless stroke play.
Record-Breaking Innings and Rising Stardom
Rinku’s innings was a masterclass in patience, precision, and power. His unbeaten 165 became his career-best first-class score and marked his eighth century in the format. More than the runs, it was the timing of his knock that stood out — rescuing his team from a tricky position and helping Uttar Pradesh secure a slender one-run lead and three valuable points from the encounter. In doing so, he surpassed not only Rahul Dravid but also Ravindra Jadeja in the list of India’s top first-class averages.
The only players ahead of him now include all-time greats like Vijay Merchant, who tops the list with an astounding 71.64 average, followed by Shantanu Sugwekar and KC Ibrahim — the only other batters averaging above 60. Rinku’s latest milestone cements his place as one of India’s most promising red-ball talents, with the potential to carry his domestic dominance onto the international stage.
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