Rinku Singh, a batsman for India and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), addressed the widely shared IPL 2024 video in which he took a bat from famous cricketer Virat Kohli. The clip shows Rinku asking Kohli for a bat during the season after breaking the one the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star had given him.
He talked about the incident in an interview with News24 on Friday, August 22:
“(Main thoda zyada badnaam ho gaya tha) I had become a little too infamous because of the bat, because normally I would just go meet Bhaiya (Virat Kohli) and also ask for a bat, so the cameraman would stay completely behind. So that thing, I mean, it wasn’t going well among people, it wasn’t right for me either, and not for Bhaiya as well, because videos with too much focus on the bat were going viral.”
Meanwhile, he revealed that he had borrowed bats from Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni during the 2025 season, saying:
“This time, I wasn’t seen with Virat Bhai (IPL 2025). I took Mahi Bhai’s (MS Dhoni’s) bat this time, and also Rohit (Rohit Sharma) Bhai’s bat. It’s a really big deal for me because getting bats from such big players is a huge thing for me.”
Rinku’s IPL 2025 performance with KKR was modest, as he amassed just 206 runs in 11 innings with a strike rate of 153.73 and an average of 29.42. His top score was an undefeated 38.
“Big opportunity for me” – Rinku Singh on being part of India’s team for the 2025 Asia Cup
Rinku Singh was named in India’s 15-man roster for the 2025 Asia Cup, which was released by the BCCI on Tuesday, August 19. He also responded to his selection in the previously cited interview, saying:
“It’s a big opportunity for me because last year I missed out on making the World Cup team and was on standby. So this is a big chance for me and a chance to play in a major tournament. My preparation is going well, the UP T20 is going on, and my batting is going well.
“So the plan is that when I get a chance there, whether in batting or bowling, I want to perform well in both for Team India. I also hope that our team plays well and brings the cup home.”
The Men in Blue will face Pakistan, Oman, and the hosts, the United Arab Emirates, in Group A of the Asia Cup, which begins on September 9.
