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IPL 2025 felt more like a bad dream than a breakthrough for Rinku Singh. The Uttar Pradesh southpaw, once celebrated for his fearless finishing, endured a quiet and unremarkable season, scoring just 206 runs in 13 matches at an average of 29.43, with a highest score of 38 and no fifties to his name.
After the heroics of 2023 and his steady showing in 2024, this season came as a setback — not just in terms of form, but also in terms of impact and presence. Whether it was a case of poor batting positions, team combinations, or simply a dip in rhythm, Rinku couldn’t find the spark that made him a fan favourite.
The only silver lining for him this year? His engagement on Sunday — a personal milestone in an otherwise forgettable cricketing year. Hopefully, that joy off the field can help him reset and bounce back stronger.
Not long ago, Rinku was being hailed as a future captain of KKR — a symbol of the franchise’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent. After all, this is the same team that helped shape the careers of players like Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer.
But KKR’s track record is not without its contradictions. For every star they’ve built, there’s a cautionary tale — none more telling than Kuldeep Yadav, another talented cricketer from Uttar Pradesh, who lost confidence and rhythm during his stint with the franchise before reinventing himself elsewhere.
Now, Rinku’s downturn in IPL 2025 — barely any memorable innings — raises familiar concerns. Whether it’s a case of poor management, lack of clarity in role, or the pressure of expectations, KKR seems to have lost the plot with a player they once projected as a leader in the making.
The same system that can create stars can sometimes clip their wings too early — and Rinku’s case may be drifting toward that unfortunate trend, unless there’s an urgent course correction.
The hope now is that Indian selectors look beyond short-term form and continue to back him in T20 internationals. After all, Rinku has delivered on the bigger stage before, and with the right backing, he’s still very much a long-term asset in India’s white-ball setup. Because class is permanent — and Rinku, when trusted, has the game to rise again.
