As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season kicks off, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) paid a special tribute to Rinku Singh just before their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Thursday, April 3. In recognition of Rinku’s milestone, the franchise presented the talented left-handed batter with a commemorative jersey marking his 50th appearance in the IPL.
The occasion was made even more special with KKR’s skipper, Ajinkya Rahane, personally handing over the ’50’ number jersey to Rinku. This heartfelt gesture was captured in a photo shared by KKR on social media, accompanied by a caption celebrating his significant contributions to the team: “50 matches. Unmatchable impact.”
Rinku Singh has been a cornerstone for KKR since joining them in 2018. He was initially bought for Rs 80 lakh during the mega-auction, though his early seasons saw limited action. In his debut year, Rinku appeared in only four matches, and the following years saw a similar pattern with just five games in 2019 and a solitary appearance in 2020.
Despite a complete absence from the field in 2021, KKR reaffirmed their faith in him by acquiring him again for Rs 55 lakh in the IPL 2022 mega auction. That year, Rinku played in seven matches and started to showcase his potential, eventually becoming a full-fledged team member by 2023.
A standout moment in Rinku’s IPL journey came in 2023 when he smashed five consecutive sixes in the final over against Yash Dayal, an unforgettable display that clinched victory for KKR. His form continued to crescendo as he played a pivotal role during their IPL triumph in 2024 under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer.
Heading into IPL 2025, Rinku was among KKR’s top retentions, securing an impressive INR 13 crore deal. Although he experienced a slow start this season, Rinku is determined to make a substantial impact as the games progress.
Joining an elite club, Rinku Singh is now the sixth player in KKR’s history to participate in 50 matches for the team. The list is headlined by Sunil Narine, with 180 appearances, followed by Andre Russell’s 124. Other notable names include Gautam Gambhir, who played 108 matches; Yusuf Pathan with 106; and Nitish Rana who reached 90 games.
For more on IPL 2025 developments, including insights into Rishabh Pant’s early season challenges due to his steep ₹27 crore price tag and pressures from Sanjiv Goenka, continue reading.
