IPL 2023: Rinku Singh Worked As Sweeper, Dropped Out From Class 9 Before Turning Baazigar for SRK's KKR

Rinku Singh is one of the most talked about uncapped players in the ongoing IPL 2023 as the hard-working Uttar Pradesh cricketer continues to raise his stocks with his performances for Kolkata Knight Riders.

The 26-year-old left-handed batter produced one of the most dramatic wins in the rich history of the Indian Premier League on Sunday (April 9) by smashing five sixes in the last over of the match against Gujarat Titans to steer KKR to an improbable win.

With 29 required from the final over, Rinku got to the strike on the first ball and what transpired next, is a memory that will be etched in the memories of the cricket fans for many years to come.

Gujarat Titans' pacer Yash Dayal looked clueless with the ball as Rinku unleashed the beast mode and hit shots everywhere. After getting hit for a hat-trick of maximums, the young bowler was under so much pressure that he ended up conceding two more sixes.

Rinku - who has played for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) - has been making the right noises for his current IPL side, KKR. The cricketer from Aligarh was first bought by KXIP at his base price in IPL 2017 but didn't get an opportunity to make his debut in the premier domestic T20 competition.

He has been doing exceedingly well for Uttar Pradesh in the domestic circuit and is one of the key members of the state side. Hailing from a humble background, Rinku Singh's fortune started changing after KKR bought the youngster for Rs 80 lakhs during IPL 2018 mega auction.

He was released by the franchise ahead of IPL 2022 mega auction but was snapped by the team for Rs 55 lakh. Rinku - who is one of the best fielders in the IPL - idolises former India cricketer and Chennai Super Kings legend Suresh Raina.

Raina - who is a three-time IPL champion with CSK - has watched the growth of Rinku from close quarters. Rinku interestingly made his debut for Uttar Pradesh under Raina's captaincy.

Rinku Singh Family Background

His father distributed LPG cylinders from door to door while his elder brother drove an autorickshaw. He grew up living in a two-room quarter with nine members of his family.

"Father used to earn some Rs 6-7 thousand monthly, as he was the elder brother. My family is a bit big and I had no option other than to focus hard on cricket," Rinku said told Indian Express.

Rinku himself worked as a sweeper at one point in time. He couldn't clear his class 9 examinations and dropped out of his school but focussed on his cricket. He was determined to make his mark in the sport.

Not much support from father in the early days

In the latest episode of Akashvaani for Jio Cinema, Rinku Singh spoke about his initial battles and how his family did not support his aspirations of being a cricketer.

Rinku claimed, "At that time, I went to Kanpur to play for the first time in my hostel tournament and my mother gave me Rs 1000 and supported me but my father used to beat me whenever I used to play."

Rinku Singh worked as a sweeper

Singh said his father insisted that he focused on getting a job rather than playing cricket which after a point his mother aligned to. "My brother used to work in a coaching centre as a cleaner and he took me there for a job - I was given the job to clean early in the morning and leave so that nobody would get to know. But I didn't like the job, so I left it and came back to focus on cricket," Singh recalled.

Joined Delhi Public School cricket team

Talking about his first successful tournament as a cricketer, the Aligarh cricketer, claimed, "We were playing against the Delhi Public School team and, I really batted well in that match scoring around 70 in a winning cause. So, the owner of the DPS, Swapnil Jain, asked me to join his team."

Rinku won a bike in a global school competition

In 2012, a global cricket competition of schools was organised with teams from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Dubai, and Bangladesh. Singh struck gold by winning the Player of the Tournament. "I won a bike from that competition and my cricket career started looking promising and from that day onwards day my father stopped scolding me," Singh remembered.

Constructed his house after landing an IPL contract

While talking about how his and his family's life changed once he got his maiden IPL contract, Singh claims he was hoping to be purchased for around Rs 20-25 lakh but he was bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 80 lakhs.

, "It was very important for me because I didn't expect that I will go for that much money. I thought that I will go to Mumbai for some 20-25 lakhs but that price kept on getting high and reached 80 Lakhs. So, my family was very happy and with that 80 lakhs I got our house constructed and then I bought a car for my father because he wanted a car for a long time. So, my father was happy, and my family was as well."

Rise Of Rinku Singh Began In IPL 2022

Before IPL 2022, he was used as a filler and could never retain a permanent spot on the KKR side. However, he was always on the field for KKR as he has a brilliant pair of hands. He has taken several good catches in the past in the outfield.

IPL 2022 turned out to be a landmark year for Rinku as he proved his mettle as a complete cricketer. The confidence shown by team management reflected in his performance on the field as well as he looked more confident with the bat.

After KKR suffered three back-to-back defeats in the previous season, Rinku got a chance to play against Gujarat Titans, which was KKR's eighth match of the season.

A couple of games later, Rinku played an unbeaten knock of 42 off 23 balls against Rajasthan Royals and also grabbed two catches as KKR returned to winning ways after losing five games on the bounce.

Brendon McCullum Hailed Rinku Singh

He even garnered a lot of praise from outgoing KKR head coach Brendon McCullum by the end of the IPL 2022 season. The legendary New Zealand cricketer - who is the first cricketer to have slammed a ton in the IPL history - spoke highly of Singh.

In his final post-match press conference as KKR coach, McCullum - who joined the England Test side as the head coach - claimed the franchise will invest heavily in Rinku and the player will return the favour.

"Absolutely he (Rinku) sure has (been the find of the season). Rinku is a player who KKR will invest in, no doubt, over the next few years and we will see him really progress and may even challenge for higher honours in time," McCullum stated last year.