Rinku Singh Appointed Vice-Captain of Kolkata Knight Riders for IPL 2026

Rinku Singh Takes on Leadership Role

Star Indian cricketer Rinku Singh has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, marking a significant step in his career.

In this new role, Rinku will support Ajinkya Rahane, succeeding Venkatesh Iyer, who was signed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹7 crore prior to the season.

The announcement was made by KKR's CEO, Venky Mysore, during the Knights Unplugged 3.0 event in Kolkata on Tuesday. He expressed, "We are thrilled to announce Rinku Singh as our Vice-captain. Since joining KKR in 2018, he has been a consistent performer for the team."

Concerns Regarding Recent Performance

Rinku's recent form raises concerns for the Knight Riders, especially after a disappointing T20 World Cup 2026, where he managed only 24 runs across five innings.

His IPL performance has also seen a downturn since his breakout season in 2023, where he gained fame for hitting five consecutive sixes against Yash Dayal during a high-stakes match against the Gujarat Titans.

In the 2023 season, Rinku accumulated 474 runs in 14 innings, boasting an impressive average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.52, including four half-centuries. However, his subsequent performances have yielded only 374 runs in 22 innings, with an average of 23.37 and a top score of 38*.

Rinku's Performance Statistics with KKR

Throughout his tenure with KKR, Rinku has participated in 59 matches, amassing a total of 1,099 runs at an average of 30.53.

Upcoming IPL Season Kickoff

The Kolkata Knight Riders will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.