Rinku Singh is the only bright spot in Kolkata Knight Riders’ bumpy season as they exit IPL 2023 with a one-point loss to Lucknow Super Giants
Posted Date – Sun, 5/21/23 at 11:47am
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Calcutta: Lucknow Supergiants coach Andy Flower believes Rinku Singh’s icy demeanor and desire to succeed make him a “good combination” as a potential Indian candidate.
The 25-year-old was the only bright spot in a bumpy season for Kolkata Knight Riders as they exited IPL 2023 with a one-point loss to Lucknow Super Giants here on Saturday.
“Rinku played with his skin again and got them that close, didn’t they? We’re in a really good situation, but it would be a real shocker if they won from there,” Flower said after the game. said in the media interaction.
The T20 World Cup and Ashes-winning former England coach further said Rinku has a “future”.
“He looks like a very physically gifted guy. He also looks eager to succeed while being humble and confident in what he can do – it’s a really good combination.
“There’s a lot of batting talent in this country. He’s shown he can do it under pressure, which is a key aspect of playing international cricket. I think he has a future,” the 55-year-old added.
Chasing 177, KKR were bogged down at 136/7 after 18 overs, but Rinku nearly managed another miraculous victory with his 33-ball 67 not out but just one run off in a final-ball thriller .
Rinku needed three sixes on the last three balls.
The situation was similar to what happened in their dramatic win over the Gujarat Titans earlier this season, when Rinku struck five sixes in a row to complete the heist.
But this time, he struck two sixes, while the other, on the penultimate ball, turned out to be a four as KKR narrowly lost.
“He (Rinku) played beautifully. It was a matter of not making obvious mistakes in the last couple of rounds.
“But Naveen (ul Haq) and Yash (Thakur) did a really tough job of bowling multiple times in a row at the death. But they came through in the end. Both have had a great season.” The Zimbabwean was also full of praise for Nicholas Pooran , and said that he played an outstanding performance of 30 balls and 58 balls in the 7th position.
“He (Pooran) was a sensation for us. He changed everything. The important thing is that he was there until he died.
“He’s getting more sober day by day. It’s a perfect partnership with (Ayush) Badoni, the perfect combination of boundary hitting and rotation hitting, that’s the key to winning this game.” Here at UW again.
Puran, however, failed to impress West Indies and resigned as captain of their white team following a disastrous first-round exit from the T20 World Cup last year.
After succeeding Kieron Pollard in May 2022, Pooran has won just four of 15 ODIs and four of 15 T20Is.
But they hit rock bottom at the T20 World Cup in Australia, when the two-time champions suffered heavy losses to Scotland and Ireland.
Flower, however, believes Purlan’s time will come again.
“He’s still a young guy who’s developing his game. I’m sure he’ll do amazing things for WI cricket. He’s a fantastic team player. I think he’ll be a leader again at some stage in the future .
“He’s been gifted physically, worked hard with his swing, done a lot of boundary-hitting practice. He’s put in hard yards to get to where he is now.
“I do think the captaincy experience has been good for him. He’s been a big help to KL (Rahul) and now Krunal (Pandya). Everyone in the locker room loves him. He’s developed well in every way,” Flower signed.
