Rinku Singh Appointed Regional Sports Officer by UP Government
Recognition for Rinku Singh
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has praised Indian cricketer Rinku Singh, announcing his appointment as a Regional Sports Officer by the Uttar Pradesh government. Rinku gained fame during IPL 2023 when he hit five consecutive sixes off Gujarat Titans' Yash Dayal in a crucial chase for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His impressive performances have led him to become a gold medalist at the Asian Games, an Asia Cup champion, and a T20 World Cup winner with Team India.
Uttar Pradesh's Commitment to Athletes
During a ceremony on Wednesday, where appointment letters and prize money were distributed to international medalists, CM Yogi highlighted that Uttar Pradesh is the first state in India to prioritize athletes in government roles. He stated, "UP is the first state to give athletes priority in government service. We have issued appointment letters to over 500 athletes for various police positions. Rinku Singh has received his letter for the role of Regional Sports Officer, while he continues his involvement with the KKR camp."
New Role as Vice-Captain of KKR
Rinku Singh has been appointed as the vice-captain of KKR for IPL 2026, stepping into a leadership position alongside Ajinkya Rahane. This role was previously held by Venkatesh Iyer, who was signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs 7 crore. KKR CEO Venky Mysore announced this decision at the Knights Unplugged 3.0 event in Kolkata, expressing excitement about Rinku's new role.
Recent Performance and Personal Challenges
Rinku's recent form has raised concerns for KKR, as he struggled during the T20 World Cup 2026, accumulating only 24 runs in five matches. Tragically, during the tournament, Rinku's father passed away after battling cancer. Despite this personal loss, Rinku returned to the team, showcasing resilience in a challenging time. His IPL performances have also dipped since his breakout season in 2023, where he scored 474 runs in 14 innings. In contrast, he has managed only 374 runs in 22 innings since then.
Career Statistics Overview
Rinku Singh has participated in 59 matches, amassing 1,099 runs at an average of 30.53. In addition, he has played two ODIs, scoring 55 runs, and has featured in 45 T20Is for India, where he has scored 665 runs at an average of 39.11 across 33 innings, maintaining a strike rate exceeding 155, including three fifties.