After Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) emphatic eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, star batter Rinku Singh shared a lighthearted moment with India wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
The match, held at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 27, saw KKR claim their third IPL title. Singh, who played a crucial role in the team's success, was in a celebratory mood after the victory.
Cameras captured Singh engaging in a cheerful conversation with Pant, expressing his jovial nature amidst the post-match festivities. The Aligarh-born cricketer also received a video call from Pant, who extended his congratulations on the triumph.
A video shared by KKR's official social media handle showcased Singh interacting with Pant and teammate Nitish Rana. Rana inquired about Pant's well-being, while Singh excitedly revealed his plans to join the Indian team on May 28.
Despite being named as part of the reserve players for India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad, Singh was not included in the main 15-member team. This decision came as a surprise, with selectors opting for Shivam Dube instead.
Singh has demonstrated exceptional batting skills in his T20I career. In just 11 innings played, he has amassed 356 runs at an impressive average of 89 and a remarkable strike rate of 176.23, with two half-centuries to his name. His rise to fame began during the IPL 2023 season, where he garnered attention for smashing five consecutive sixes against Yash Dayal to secure victory for KKR.
Returning to the KKR vs SRH final, SRH's decision to bat first proved costly as they were dismissed for a meager 113 in just 18.3 overs. The KKR bowling attack, led by Andre Russell (3/19), Mitchell Starc (2/14), and Harshit Rana (2/24), played a pivotal role in this collapse.
In response, KKR chased down the target effortlessly, reaching the required score in just 10.3 overs. Venkatesh Iyer starred with an unbeaten half-century (52 runs off 26 balls), guiding his team to their third IPL title. KKR had previously triumphed in 2012 and 2014.
