Visakhapatnam
In a thrilling T20I series opener against Australia, India secured a dramatic two-wicket win with notable contributions from Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, and an instrumental performance by Rinku Singh. While Kishan and Yadav played crucial innings, Rinku’s unbeaten 22 off 14 balls played a pivotal role in the team’s victory. Chasing a challenging target of 209, India faced a tense situation in the last over. Losing three wickets in the 20th over, Rinku Singh came to the rescue, needing to score a solitary run off the final delivery. In a heart-pounding moment, Rinku lofted Sean Abbott over long-on for six. Despite the initial celebration, replays revealed a no-ball, securing India’s victory. Even without the no-ball, Rinku’s six would have ensured the win. After the game, heartwarming scenes unfolded as Rinku embraced Abhishek Nayar, his assistant coach from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. Dinesh Karthik, a veteran India wicketkeeper-batter who was part of KKR during IPL 2018, shared insights on Nayar’s crucial role in shaping Rinku. It was a partnership that started in 2018 during my time in KKR. Nayar always saw the potential in Rinku, he kept telling me, it was only a matter of time before he did something really special, wrote Karthik. Coming from a small town in Aligarh, Rinku needed a shift in mindset, and Nayar worked on that aspect along with fine-tuning his death-hitting skills. Karthik recalled Nayar’s support during tough times, including an ACL injury, when Nayar convinced KKR management to accept Rinku as part of the team, facilitating his rehabilitation. Staying with Nayar post IPL for months, Rinku worked on his batting and had a stellar domestic season, eventually becoming a match-winning finisher. Karthik expressed admiration for Nayar’s growth as a coach and the joy of witnessing one of his students excel on the world stage. The heartfelt reunion between Rinku and Nayar symbolizes the mentorship and guidance that play a crucial role in the development of young talents in the world of cricket.
