IPL 2025: Rinku Singh Honoured with Special Jersey by KKR for 50th Match Against SRH at Eden Gardens

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IPL 2025: The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have always been a team that thrives on passion and loyalty, and ahead of their IPL 2025 clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), they took a moment to celebrate one of their most beloved players.

Rinku Singh, the explosive left-handed batsman, was presented with a special jersey by captain Ajinkya Rahane in honour of his 50th IPL appearance for the franchise.

For Rinku, this moment was more than just a milestone—it was a testament to years of hard work, perseverance, and the impact he has had on KKR over the years. "50 matches. Unmatchable impact," read the heartfelt caption on KKR’s social media post, summing up the significance of the occasion.

A Journey of Grit and Determination

Rinku Singh's journey in the IPL has been anything but easy. He first joined KKR in 2018 after being bought for ₹80 lakh at the mega-auction. In his early years, he found himself on the fringes, playing sporadically. He managed only four matches in 2018, five in 2019, and just one in 2020 before spending the entire 2021 season warming the bench.

However, his big breakthrough came in IPL 2022, where he finally got a proper run, featuring in seven matches. The following season, 2023, turned out to be career-defining. Rinku became KKR’s hero, scoring 474 runs at an astonishing average of nearly 60 and a strike rate close to 150. He smashed four half-centuries in that edition, proving himself as one of the most dependable finishers in the league.

His incredible performance in IPL 2023 even earned him a call-up to the Indian T20I squad, marking his entry onto the international stage. Ahead of the 2025 season, KKR showed their faith in him once again, retaining him for a whopping ₹13 crore before the mega-auction.

KKR’s Tribute to Rinku Singh

Before the match against SRH at Eden Gardens, KKR ensured that Rinku’s 50th IPL match was marked in style. The team presented him with a special jersey with the number '50’ on the back as a token of appreciation for his service to the franchise. Ajinkya Rahane, leading KKR in IPL 2025, handed over the jersey in a touching moment.

Rinku has not had the best of starts to IPL 2025, but KKR fans will be hoping that this special occasion ignites a memorable knock from their star finisher. After all, Eden Gardens has been witness to some of his finest innings, and there could be no better setting for him to celebrate his milestone with a match-winning performance.

Rinku Singh in Elite KKR Company

With his 50th match, Rinku joins an exclusive list of players who have represented KKR for a long duration. However, he still has a long way to go to catch up with the franchise’s biggest stalwarts.

Sunil Narine leads the list, having been with KKR since 2012 and playing a massive role in all three of their IPL title wins (2012, 2014, and 2024). Andre Russell, another KKR legend, is playing his 124th match for the team and remains one of the most destructive all-rounders in the competition.

Gautam Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, sits at the third spot with 108 matches, while Yusuf Pathan and Nitish Rana round off the top five.

A Moment to Remember

For Rinku Singh, this 50-match milestone is not just about numbers. It is a recognition of his rise from being an uncapped youngster to a proven match-winner. His five consecutive sixes against Gujarat Titans in IPL 2023 remain one of the most iconic moments in IPL history, a reminder of his ability to turn games around single-handedly.

As he takes the field for his landmark match against SRH, KKR fans will be hoping that their 'finisher’ can produce another magical innings. With a special jersey on his back and the Eden Gardens crowd behind him, Rinku Singh has 50 reasons to make this a night to remember.