IPL nuggets: Shah Rukh hails batting hero Rinku Singh

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) co-owner Shah Rukh Khan hailed Rinku Singh with a special message after the batter’s magical innings against Gujarat Titans.

Needing 29 runs to win off the last over, Kolkata registered an improbable win, thanks to Rinku who blasted five consecutive sixes off Gujarat pacer Yash Dayal.

Chasing 205, KKR lost their openers cheaply.

However, Venkatesh Iyer (83 off 40) and captain Nitish Rana (45 off 29) added 100 for the third wicket to keep their team in the hunt.

Victory seemed impossible after Gujarat’s stand-in captain Rashid Khan claimed a hat-trick.

However, Rinku (48* off 21) played a once-in-a-lifetime knock to lift Kolkata to a victory.

Following the team’s come-from-behind win, Shah Rukh took to Twitter and wrote: “JHOOME JO RINKUUUUU !!! My baby @rinkusingh235 And @NitishRana_27 & @venkateshiyer you beauties!!! And remember Believe that’s all. Congratulations @KKRiders and @VenkyMysore take care of your heart sir!”

Shah Rukh Khan

While Iyer top-scored for KKR in the chase, Rinku was deservedly named the Player of the Match for his last-over heroics.

“I didn’t believe that it could happen” – Venkatesh Iyer said.

After the game, KKR batter Iyer admitted that he didn’t believe the team had any chance of winning after they slipped to 155-7.

Iyer said, “I’ll be honest with you, I thought we couldn’t win it. Everyone ruled us out. To score 40-odd of three overs with not a lot of batting left.”

“Of course Rinku was there, but I didn’t believe that it could happen. When the second six happened, (we thought) we can actually win this game.”

“God always gives these moments to people with a golden heart. Rinku is someone that everyone likes, and I am really happy that God has given him this very moment.”

The left-hander admitted that KKR are going to cherish the special win for a long time:

“This match is going to be remembered for the ‘Lord Rinku’ show. Obviously everyone ruled us out before the last two overs, but obviously to come back from there and win is something that won’t happen everyday.”

“We’re going to cherish this game for a very long time.”