Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh played a blinder against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Wednesday. He almost took his team over the line at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
The Kolkata Knight Riders were in trouble having lost six wickets for 150 runs on the board. They still needed 61 runs from 20 balls, to chase down 211 runs. Despite losing Sam Billings and Andre Russell in consecutive over, the Kolkata Knight Riders kept battling on, thanks to Rinku Singh and Sunil Narine.
The duo took on the attack to the opposition bowlers, bringing down the equation to 21 needed off the final over. Rinku Singh, who was unbeaten on 22 off 10 balls, was on strike against Marcus Stoinis. He slammed the first delivery for a boundary and then hit consecutive sixes in the over.
𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙆𝙐 𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂𝙃 – Remember the name! 👏@rinkusingh235 #AmiKKR #KKRvLSG #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/gZCsEMaEN0
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 18, 2022
The youngster almost won the match for his team, however, Evin Lewis’ brilliant effort came in the way. Rinku was dismissed for 40 runs off 15 balls, as Lewis took a screamer running in from the backward point. Kolkata Knight Riders went on to lose the match by just two runs.
However, Rinku Singh earned praise from the fans and the experts for his fantastic performance.
Let’s take a look at how Twitterati reacted to Rinku Singh’s blinder:
Heart goes out to Rinku Singh who played splendidly and got out to hell of a good catch. What a brave innings little boy. More coming in your way. #LSGvsKKR #TATAIPL pic.twitter.com/DluymS27Cv
— Amit Mishra (@MishiAmit) May 18, 2022
Rinku Singh – you champion! What a story. I'm so happy for him. His journey from humble beginnings to following his dreams to be a cricketer is very emotional. KKR lost but Rinku has won the hearts.
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) May 18, 2022
Never mind the result, Rinku Singh is a star!
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 18, 2022
How insanely amazing @rinkusingh235 and Sunil Narine batted tonight. Took it to the last ball for @KKRiders but hard luck. Hoping to see many more such innings from Rinku in the future. All the best, lad! #KKRvLSG #IPL2022
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 18, 2022
The Rise of Rinku Singh feels so good. We're proud of you king @rinkusingh235 💜
— Pratik (@Prat1k_) May 18, 2022
THIS IS A RINKU SINGH APPRECIATION TWEET.#AmiKKR #KKRvLSG #IPL2022
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) May 18, 2022
Oh Rinku, what a champion knock! 💪🏼
It took the catch of the tournament to end that onslaught. #KKRvsLSG #WhatAGame— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) May 18, 2022
If Andre Russell is Gangster then Rinku Singh is a Monster 😎
What a Match ! What a Game ! Take a Bow !!#KKRvsLSG I #rinkusingh pic.twitter.com/o057yPR0qR— Yogi Says (@imyogi_26) May 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/smileandraja/status/1526985871802650625?s=20&t=5fSdl_YT3tjfDWRw5zQGtA
What a match. This was peak IPL. Hard luck KKR but you gave peak entertainment. First QDK 140* and then the counter attack from Rana , Shreyas and Rinku at the end. This is IPL. Peak cricket .
— ` (@FourOverthrows) May 18, 2022
Rinku Singh, you superstar.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 18, 2022
Sports is so cruel sometimes. Gotta feel really sad for Rinku Singh. "I Tried so hard and got so far but in the end it doesn't even matter"
Chin up champ. u got the talent. Team India calling soon! 🇮🇳❤️ pic.twitter.com/J7XtoHhGf3
— Akshat (@AkshatOM10) May 18, 2022
I was hoping Rinku Singh could finish the game for us: Shreyas Iyer, KKR Captain
The Kolkata Knight Riders skipper, Shreyas Iyer too lauded Rinku Singh’s knock. He expressed that he wanted the youngster to finish the match. Speaking at the post-match ceremony, Shreyas said,
“I love the way Rinku got us till the end but unfortunately couldn’t time it when two balls were remaining, he was really sad. I was hoping he could finish the game for us and could have been the hero, but still played a fantastic knock and I am really happy for him.”
The Kolkata Knight Riders have been eliminated from the playoff race of the Indian Premier League 2022 season.
Get the latest cricket news here and like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.