Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Rinku Singh has opened up on his rough patch in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rinku has scored just 168 runs this season in 12 matches as compared to his 474-run season last year. Rinku was also touted by many to make the cut for India’s 15-man squad for T20 World Cup. However, the selectors only picked him as one of the four travelling reserves for the tournament in the Americas.
Speaking after the match between KKR and Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday, Rinku summed up his form this season, saying: “Itni batting aayi nahi aur sir agar batting aayi bhi toh utna acha kar nahi paya main team ke liye. Thode up and down chal rahe hai abhi. Main apne aap ko mentally strong rakhta hoon aur calm rakhta hoon. Aur believe karata rehta hoon apne aap ko ki ho jayega agle match mein. Mai aage ka jyada sochta nahi hoon aur present mein jeeta hoon.”
Rinku played a cameo of 20 off 12 balls against MI on Saturday, helping KKR register an 18-run win a rain-hit match.After rain delayed toss and the start of the play, the game was reduced to 16 overs a side. After being invited to bat, KKR posted 157-7 as Venkatesh Iyer top-scored with 42 off 21 balls.
In reply, MI finished on 139-8 as Tilak Varma hit a 17-ball 32 before he fell to fast bowler Harshit Rana, who took two wickets in the last over. Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell took two wickets each as KKR booked their play-off spot.
“I manifested before the game that we’d get through. We were playing fantastic cricket, boys have taken responsibility. There have been many game-changers. The boys have shown great attitude and it was on display today. We have a mindset to win from any situation,” KKR captain Shreyas Iyer said while hailing his team as a group of match winners.
KKR certain of a top-two finish which will give them two chances of qualifying for the playoffs.
