KKR Name Rinku Singh Vice-Captain for IPL 2026, To Assist Ajinkya Rahane

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Kolkata Knight Riders have appointed Rinku Singh as vice-captain for IPL 2026, strengthening their leadership group ahead of the upcoming season.

The announcement was made by team CEO Venky Mysore during the Knights Unplugged 3.0 event at Eden Gardens on Tuesday. Rinku will serve as deputy to newly appointed captain Ajinkya Rahane as the three-time champions prepare for the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Rinku Singh Elevated To Leadership Role After Consistent Performances

Rinku's appointment comes after several seasons of steady contributions with the bat and growing influence within the squad. He replaces Venkatesh Iyer, who previously held the vice-captaincy role but was released by the franchise following a below-par campaign.

Confirming the development, Mysore highlighted Rinku's journey with the franchise.

"I am going to invite a name who became a household name after he hit those five sixes. Rinku Singh. We are delighted to inform you that Rinku, who came on board with us in 2018, will be the vice-captain and work closely with Ajinkya Rahane," said Mysore.

Rinku has been a key figure in KKR's setup since joining the franchise in 2018 and rose to national prominence during IPL 2023 when he smashed five consecutive sixes in the final over against Gujarat Titans to seal a memorable victory.

Rinku Singh's IPL Record And Role In KKR's Recent Success

In his IPL career so far, Rinku Singh has featured in 59 matches, scoring 1099 runs at an average of 30.53 and a strike rate of 145.18. He was also part of Kolkata Knight Riders' title-winning squad in 2024 and later featured in India's T20 World Cup-winning team.

Ahead of IPL 2025, the franchise retained him for INR 13 crore, underlining their long-term trust in his abilities both as a batter and team leader.

KKR Begin IPL 2026 Campaign Against Mumbai Indians

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

The franchise has also refreshed its coaching setup ahead of the new season, with Abhishek Nayar taking over as head coach, Shane Watson joining as assistant coach, and Dwayne Bravo continuing as mentor.

With Rinku Singh now part of the leadership core, Kolkata Knight Riders will look to combine experience and emerging leadership as they aim for another strong run in IPL 2026.