“RCB” – Rinku Singh wishes to join Virat Kohli if Kolkata Knight Riders release the star batter ahead of the IPL 2025 auction
Indian batter Rinku Singh has expressed his desire to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) alongside former captain Virat Kohli if Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) release him before the IPL 2025 auction. The left-handed batter was last seen playing for the Men in Blue in the three-game T20I series against Sri Lanka.
Rinku had a poor outing with the bat but demonstrated his skills with the ball by bowling an important penultimate over in the third game. Eventually, India won the match in a Super Over.
The 26-year-old will next be seen in action in the UP T20 League, starting August 25, where he will lead the Meerut Mavericks. Ahead of the tournament, during a conversation with Sports Tak, the explosive batter was asked about his future with KKR, considering the Mega Auction, to which he said:
"Abhi toh kuch pata nhi hai. Abhi kuch bataya nahi ki retention hoga ya auction mai jana hai. Abhi dekhte hai kya hota hai aage." [Nothing is known as of now. Nothing has been said yet whether there will be retention or whether the auction will go in May. Let's see what happens next]
The left-hander was then asked which team he would like to join if KKR decided to part ways with him.
“RCB,” he replied.
Rinku shares a good relationship with Virat Kohli. Previously, videos of the left-hander asking for a bat from the former Indian captain have gone viral. He had a breakthrough season in the 2023 IPL, scoring 474 runs in 14 games.
Rinku Singh gained the limelight when he smashed five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal to win the game for KKR when they needed 28 off the last five balls. Overall, he has played 45 matches in the IPL, scoring 893 runs, including four fifties.
“I didn't perform that well” - Rinku Singh on Duleep Trophy snub
The Indian domestic season 2024-25 is set to begin with the Duleep Trophy, starting September 5. However, Rinku Singh couldn’t find a spot in any of the teams. Talking about his snub in the same interview, he said:
"Nothing...I didn't perform that well (in the domestic season). I didn't play many matches in the Ranji Trophy...I played 2-3 matches. I wasn't selected because I didn't play that well. I might get selected for next-round matches."
The tournament will see some big names in action, including Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj.