The year 2023 has been the breakthrough year for Rinku Singh in his top-level professional career.
From having a bumper season with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2023 to making his India debut; from earning the trust and faith of Andre Russell as KKR’s new monster finisher, to making a strong case for selection in India’s squad for next year’s T20 World Cup 2024. From being admired by the fans for his fielding to now being hailed by them as India’s potential next great finisher. Rinku Singh has had a ride in 2023, which also includes him coming close to Chris Gayle’s massive record from 2011.
A Twitter user posted a stat comparing Rinku Singh in 2023 and Chris Gayle in 2011 and 2015, and this has blown everyone’s minds.
Rinku was KKR’s highest run-scorer in IPL 2023, even as KKR finished 7th. The left-hander scored 474 runs at an average of 59 and a strike rate of 149 with 4 centuries and an epic finish against Gujarat Titans with 5 sixes in 5 balls to win the game on the last ball.
Then, he made his India debut and has been in sizzling form. In 8 T20I innings, Rinku Singh has scored 262 runs at an average of 65 and a strike rate of 180, including notching up his maiden T20I century.
Rinku Singh has a magnificent 2023 in T20 cricket; comes close to Chris Gayle’s record from 2011
Overall, Rinku finishes 2023 with 992 runs in T20 cricket at an average of 66 and a strike rate of 162.
A Twitter user, @imRohit_SN, revealed a stat that Chris Gayle, in 2011 and 2015, is the only player in the history of T20 cricket to score over 1000 runs in a year at an average of more than 50 and a strike rate of more than 160 in a year.
Recently, Rinku Singh scored an impressive half-century against South Africa at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Even though India lost the rain-marred 2nd T20I in Gqeberha, the biggest positive for India was the knock from Rinku. He took the side to a good total of 180 with his knock of 68* runs in 39 balls, cracking 9 fours and 2 sixes in the process, one of those sixes landed straight on the media box glass, which left a big indentation, almost to breaking point, and it will need to be replaced.
