Rinku Singh’s determined 160 helped Uttar Pradesh recover from a precarious position against Andhra in the opening round of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy at Green Park, Kanpur. Rinku, who arrived at number five, showed patience and resilience as he worked his way out of early trouble, signaling his readiness for the upcoming India vs Australia T20I series.
Uttar Pradesh faced a daunting situation after Andhra posted 470 in their first innings. The home side were reduced to 178 for five, losing four wickets in just 34 overs, before Rinku Singh anchored the innings with his well-crafted hundred.
Rinku’s shifts were characterized by grit and responsibility rather than talent. Facing over 260 deliveries, he overcame the challenges of the Andhra bowlers and ensured that Uttar Pradesh remained in contention. This disciplined knock underlined his maturity and growth as a batsman, especially after his successful stints in IPL and T20I cricket.
With a partnership with Vipraj Nigam who contributed 42 runs, Rinku was instrumental in the decisive 122 run for the seventh wicket. This partnership allowed Uttar Pradesh to cross 450, stabilize the team after early setbacks and keep their hopes alive in the competition.
Rinku’s century crossed the milestone of 3,400 runs in first-class cricket, with an average of over 55. He now has eight hundreds and 22 fifties in the format. Despite being primarily recognized for his T20 performances, Rinku has shown his consistency across formats, also averaging close to 50 in List-A cricket.
The timing of the innings is significant, with India set to play a five-match T20I series against Australia starting on October 29. Rinku’s composure in domestic cricket offers selectors confidence ahead of the series, especially with Hardik Pandya is unavailable due to injury and India need a finisher.
Rinku’s knock helped UP take a decisive lead in the first innings against Andhra as the match ended in a draw.
– The end
Published on:
October 18, 2025
