New Delhi: Let’s say Rink Singh and the first few pictures are a breathtaking six, the last thrillers, the balls rising above the pitching head, the opposition captains held their heads in disbelief and crowds broke into deafening encouragement. The left -hander, who shot the glory after breaking five consecutive six in the IPL, is often marked as a T20 specialist. But Rink insists that while his intervening of power has made him the name of the household, he can also dig deep and the bat in the “defensive regime” in terms of cricket red ball.In 33 T20is Rink scored 546 runs on average 42.00 and a strike over 160. But his home record in the red ball tells the same impressive story. The man who is known for sending pitching on leather hunting has played 50 first -class matches, accumulates runs in a stunning 54.68 diameter, with seven centuries and 22nd 190s.Now he is preparing for the Asia Cup 2025, Rink says his biggest dream is to perform white for India in the test cricket.Rink function in the Indian 15-member Asia Cup Squad and warms up in style. In the recently closed T20, he collected 295 runs in nine matches, including the centuries and the two fifties, and ran his authority in front of the continental tournament.In front of the Asian Cup, which is to be played in T20 format and starting on 9 September in the United Arab Emirates, Timesofindia.com caught up with Rinka for an exclusive conversation – on its evolving technique, playing under Suryakumar Yadav, Gautam Gambhir, life after five and much more.
You lit the UP T20 with launching in front of the Asian Cup. Do you see it as a perfect preparation for a big tournament?
The launching is really good. It helps the team and my trust. I get a chance for a bat in situations where I can take the team to win. The position I bat on is one that I really like, so it’s good to play there. I’m glad I found a rhythm and flowed in front of the Asian Cup. The ball comes nicely on the bat and I really enjoy it.
We have seen some changes in your launch. Can you tell us more about them?
I trained in Mumbai and practiced at the KKR Academy under Abhiskem Nair Sir. He helped me a lot and asked me to move the game to another level now. The T20 cricket is so demanding. Once you have played IPL for a long time, the pitchors will begin to understand your launch. Therefore, you have to add new elements to your game. You have to put runs on the board, because the opposition also comes with thinking hard. I’m still learning new things like what shots I can add to launching. After so many years in the IPL, the pitch knows what weaknesses have Batsman, so I practice specifically to improve these areas. The practice was really good. Yes, I added some more shots to my game. I worked a lot to sweep and sweep. During this period I trained hard and I feel mentally and physically fit.
Gautam Gambhir had a huge impact on your career – first in a KKR and now as an Indian coach. How special is to play back under him?
GG Sir (Gautam Gambhir) has always supported me and supported me a lot. When I first met him on a KKR, he gave me so much confidence. I had a short meeting with him where he talked to me about shots. It always supports its players and it feels really good. He comes, talks to you and injures confidence. He’s a man with a lot of knowledge. I liked working with him – whether it’s batting, speaking or training. It is always fun to share things with him. I’m really eager to play again under his coaching. It’s a strange feeling to share a dressing room with a legend like GG, Lord.
Did you have a chance to talk to him after choosing the Asia Cup?
Not yet. As soon as I go to Dubai, I will be a big conversation with him (laughs). Until now we haven’t talked about anything. I am very excited to meet him and learn from him. His support in my career was huge.
Gambhir often appreciates players with versatile skills. Can we expect to see you with the ball?
Nowadays, each player is expected to contribute with Bat and Ball. What else can you offer the team besides your main skill is very important. If you are a dough and the captain will give you a ball and you can take a few goals, there is nothing better than that. It also helps you with a team. If necessary, I can also mix and pick up the goals. Even selectors look at whether the player can contribute in both departments, so he definitely adds value. There is no harm in this – it’s always for the team’s team. As a dough, if the captain gives me the ball in a particular situation and I take the goals, it’s a big plus for the team.
Vote
Do you think Rink Singh is primarily a T20 specialist?
Is no.
My approach remains the same, no matter what position I will come to the bat. This will also not change in Asia Cup. According to God’s grace, I scored running and I want to carry the same confidence in the tournament. If I get a chance to show at eleven, I am ready to burn anywhere – whether in 6 or 7 or even higher on Wednesday. It is not that I could only burn the order; I can play anywhere where India needs me. I always analyze the situation and bat and I really enjoy being in crisis and a tense situation.
Suryakumar Yadav is known to give players a lot of freedom. What was your experience under his leadership?
Surya Bhai is a fantastic captain. In all the games I played for India, he supported me a lot. He always tells me to play the same way I played in IPL. It drops the pressure and gives me confidence. He reminds me that playing for India is a great success and that I had to do something special to get here. It’s all about thinking for him. It makes players feel comfortable so that no one feels in place or under pressure. That’s what makes him so special – he’s really a captain of players.
You are often marked as a specialist T20 …
I know fans love it when I hit six, and I’m really grateful for it. But my TROPHY RANDI Average is also very good – on average over 55 years. I really enjoy playing a red ball cricket. I also played two ODI for India, and in one of them I did well. So it’s not like I was just a T20 player. I believe I can play in every format if I get a chance. I do not like being marked as a single -engineer; I see myself as a player on the whole format. My dream is to play a test cricket for India, and if I get the opportunity, I will be ready to catch it.Suresh Raina Bhaiya is my idol. He always tells me, “Rinka, be ready and ready for everything.” I would be very happy to play tests for India and also contributed there. Raina Bhaiya played most of her matches in a position where I was a bat, and created a lot of knocking on the match. I want to be the same kind of player for India in all formats.
Looking back, do you think the five -six overlap has completely changed your career?
Yes, people know me because of this match and since then expectations have increased a lot. I have received so much love from everyone. After these five sixties I got a different identity – not only for myself, but for all India. It was a huge moment for me. The team needed 28 runs, and then five six came in a row. It was like a dream – these things don’t happen every day. It happened to me and I am grateful to the Almighty. All the hard work I have done over the years felt rewarded in one shift. At that moment I felt that God gave me everything.
Do you consider yourself a strong candidate for the T20 World Cup?
Yes, my dream is to be part of the World Cup team and keep the trophy. For that I still pray to God. If I perform well in the upcoming series, it will be clearer for the World Cup. This is my ultimate goal – to do well for your country in Asia Cup and I’m sure I will deliver.
When it comes to your launch, where does “fear” and “pressure” fit?
Pressure is always part of the game, but the most important is faith. If you believe in yourself, it doesn’t matter who the pitch is. Hard work and trust make things easier. If you play with fear, everything will go wrong. But if you believe anything. This is the thinking I wear every time I go out on the bat.
