Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has expressed concern over Kolkata Knight Riders’ continued support for Rinka Singh, suggesting the batsman has fallen short of expectations and is still riding the wave of his five consecutive sixes that brought him glory in the Indian Premier League. Srikkanth’s remarks followed KKR defeat Chennai Super Kings by 32 runs in Chennai on Tuesday, where they were trying to chase down a target of 192 on a rival Chepauk wicket.
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Srikkanth expressed doubts about Rinku Singh’s suitability for the No.5 position and questioned his ability to put up a long innings. The former chairman of the selection committee called KKR’s batting line-up the weakest in the league.
“Rinku Singh is not an explosive player. He hit five sixes in five balls a long time ago and we still talk about that. He is adept at spin but can struggle when the required run rate goes beyond 10 or 12. He can’t do that,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube show on Tuesday.
“He is better suited at No. 7 as a finisher. He can deliver when 50 runs are needed in 5 overs. Rinku should not be tasked with batting at No. 5 to build the innings. That will not work,” he added, adding that Rinku has also played the role of finisher for the senior national team.
During Tuesday’s match, Rinku Singh came into bat as KKR were 79 for 3 in the 10th over. After losing Angkrish Raghuvanshi for 27, skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who was also struggling, needed a quickening partner. However, Rinku struggled and was dismissed by Noor Ahmed after scoring just 6 off 12 balls in another disappointing over.
KKR’s innings further faltered at 90 for 6 before Rovman Powell (31) and Ramandeep Singh (35) attempted to recover. Their 63-run partnership only managed to reduce the margin of defeat.
Rinku, who became a sensation after hitting Yash Dayal for five sixes in an over against Rajasthan Royals in 2023, could not repeat the feat. He scored 474 runs in 14 matches in the 2023 season, but has not crossed the 220-run mark since then. In the ongoing IPL 2026, the left-handed batsman managed just 78 runs in five matches.
TIME TO FIRE FINN ALLEN?
The KKR management is under pressure as captain Rahane and vice-captain Rinku have failed to galvanize the team, who remain winless after five matches and at the bottom of the points table.
Srikkanth also suggested that KKR could consider a move through Finn Allen as the New Zealand opener struggled after an impressive World T20 campaign. Allen managed just 81 runs in five matches and failed to provide the much-needed spark at the top of the order. He was consistently dismissed when he tried to hit deliveries down the leg side, resulting in top and outside edges.
“The key problem with their batting is that none of their batsmen, apart from Angkrish Raghuvanshi, showed intent,” noted Srikkanth.
“That’s when Finn Allen should make an impact. He’s fighting more than anybody, though. He’s swinging wild, more than I did in my day. That approach isn’t going to work. He’s been shut out the last five games to play the same shot. I think that’s it for him. He’s going to be replaced by Tim Seifert,” he added.
Time is running out for Rahane and KKR as they look to be the weakest team of the season. With little time to rethink their strategy, KKR will take on the in-form Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Friday and host Rajasthan Royals on Sunday.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
15 Apr 2026 11:07 IST
