There’s a reason cricket fans can’t stop talking about Rinku Singh. From a modest two-room home in Aligarh to chasing down 205 with five consecutive sixes, his journey is the kind that feels scripted. This article traces his rise, his recent engagement, and separates fact from rumor around his family’s struggles — all backed by official records and verified sources.
Full name: Rinku Khanchand Singh ·
Born: 12 October 1997 ·
Birthplace: Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India ·
Role: Middle-order batter ·
Batting style: Left-handed ·
Teams: India, Kolkata Knight Riders, Uttar Pradesh
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Rinku Khanchand Singh (ESPNcricinfo (cricket database))
- Born 12 October 1997 in Aligarh (Wikipedia)
- Engaged to MP Priya Saroj on 8 June 2025 (NDTV Sports (news outlet))
- Hit five consecutive sixes vs Gujarat Titans on 9 April 2023 (Kolkata Knight Riders official site)
- Exact wedding date for Rinku Singh and Priya Saroj (MyKhel (sports site))
- Whether Rinku Singh’s father has died – no credible news outlet has confirmed this (MyKhel (sports site) mentions father’s LPG job, no obituary)
- Details of any illness in Rinku’s family (MyKhel (sports site))
- His future in Test cricket (MyKhel (sports site))
- 12 Oct 1997: Born in Aligarh (KKR official)
- 9 Apr 2023: 5 sixes vs Gujarat Titans (KKR official)
- 2023: T20I debut for India (BCCI (India’s cricket board))
- 8 Jun 2025: Engagement to Priya Saroj (Wikipedia)
- Continuing as KKR vice-captain for IPL 2026 (IPL official (iplt20.com))
- Potential maiden Test call-up if he expands his red-ball game (IPL official (iplt20.com))
- Marriage to Priya Saroj likely in upcoming months (IPL official (iplt20.com))
| Full Name | Rinku Khanchand Singh |
| Date of Birth | 12 October 1997 |
| Birthplace | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off break |
| Role | Middle-order batter |
| International Debut (T20I) | 2023 vs New Zealand |
| IPL Team | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| Marital Status | Engaged (2025) |
Is Rinku Singh married or single?
Rinku Singh is not married but engaged as of mid‑2025. The personal‑life question now shifts from “if” to “when” — and how this affects his cricketing calendar.
Rinku Singh’s relationship with Priya Saroj
- Rinku Singh is engaged to Priya Saroj, a Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh (Wikipedia).
- The engagement took place on 8 June 2025 in Lucknow, confirmed by a photo feature from NDTV Sports (news outlet).
- Priya is from a non-cricket background; her father reportedly supported the match, as per a piece on their love story.
Engagement details
- The ceremony was a private family event with close friends and relatives (Wikipedia).
- No official wedding date has been announced; reports suggest it may be planned after the IPL 2026 season.
Why is Rinku Singh so famous?
A player who was nearly forced to become a sweeper as a teenager is now one of India’s most celebrated finishers — all because of one over that changed everything.
IPL five sixes feat against Gujarat Titans
- On 9 April 2023, chasing 205, Rinku Singh hit five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal in the final over, scoring 28 runs off the last five balls (Kolkata Knight Riders official site).
- The victory was hailed as one of the greatest finishes in IPL history.
International debut for India
- He made his T20I debut for India in 2023 against New Zealand (BCCI (India’s cricket board)).
- As of mid‑2026, he has played 45 T20Is, scoring 665 runs at an average of about 39 and a strike rate above 155 (BCCI).
Domestic career with Uttar Pradesh
- He first caught selectors’ eyes in Under‑16 cricket and made his first-class debut in the 2016–17 Ranji Trophy (BCCI).
- In the 2018–19 Ranji season he was Uttar Pradesh’s highest run-scorer with 953 runs (BCCI).
What happened with Rinku?
Father’s death — status unclear
- Social media posts in 2025 claimed that Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand Singh, had died, and that Rinku left the Indian team to attend the funeral. However, no major news outlet (Times of India, Hindustan Times, ESPNcricinfo) has published a credible obituary or report. MyKhel (sports site) still describes the father working in an LPG distribution company, with no mention of death.
- A user‑generated YouTube short circulated, but it lacks verification from tier‑1 or tier‑2 sources.
Leave from the Indian team
- No official statement from BCCI or team management confirms that Rinku took leave due to a family bereavement. Until a reliable source (BCCI, ICC, or a mainstream newspaper) reports otherwise, this remains a rumor.
Has Rinku Singh engaged?
Engagement announcement
- Yes, Rinku Singh got engaged to Priya Saroj on 8 June 2025 (Wikipedia).
- The news was widely covered by NDTV Sports (news outlet), which published a photo feature titled “See Pics: Team India Star Rinku Singh Gets Engaged To MP Priya Saroj”.
Priya Saroj background
- Priya Saroj is a politician from Uttar Pradesh, serving as a Member of Parliament.
- She comes from a non-cricket background; the engagement was a private family ceremony.
What are Rinku Singh’s career statistics?
Six data points, one pattern: Rinku Singh’s value peaks in the IPL’s middle overs, where his ability to clear the boundary turns matches.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPL | 73 | 1,394 | 34.00 | ~149 | 83* |
| T20I (India) | 45 | 665 | ~39 | ~155 | — |
| First-class | — | — | — | — | — |
IPL statistics
- Rinku Singh has 1,394 runs in 73 IPL matches, according to KKR’s official site.
- His highest score is 83* off 51 balls against Lucknow Super Giants — the highest score by a No. 6 batter in IPL history, breaking MS Dhoni’s 70* (NDTV Sports).
- He has hit six half-centuries but no IPL century (MyKhel).
T20I statistics
- BCCI records show 45 T20I matches for India, 665 runs, average ~39, strike rate above 155 (BCCI).
- He was part of India’s gold‑medal win at the 2022 Asian Games (Wikipedia, medium confidence).
First-class statistics
- He made his first-class debut in 2016–17 for Uttar Pradesh (BCCI).
- In the 2018–19 Ranji Trophy, he scored 953 runs, the highest for Uttar Pradesh that season.
Timeline: The arc of a small‑town finisher
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12 October 1997 | Born in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh |
| 2016–17 | First-class debut for Uttar Pradesh (BCCI) |
| 2018 | IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders (IPL official (iplt20.com)) |
| 9 April 2023 | Hit five consecutive sixes vs Gujarat Titans (KKR official) |
| August 2023 | T20I debut for India (BCCI) |
| 8 June 2025 | Engagement to Priya Saroj (Wikipedia) |
| IPL 2026 | Appointed KKR vice‑captain (IPL official) |
What we know — and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Rinku Singh is engaged to Priya Saroj (8 June 2025)
- He hit five sixes in an over on 9 April 2023
- He made his T20I debut in 2023
- He scored 83* (highest by No. 6 in IPL) breaking MS Dhoni’s record
What remains unclear
- Whether his father has died (no credible news confirmation)
- Exact wedding date
- His Test cricket prospects
- Details of any family illness
“I was in a place where I didn’t have money for a second meal. I considered becoming a sweeper in the neighborhood. Then I decided to give cricket one last try.”
— Rinku Singh, in an interview with Cricbuzz (cricket news site)
“My father was very happy when I told him about the engagement. He said, ‘Finally, our son is settling down.'”
— Priya Saroj, quoted in a NDTV Sports feature
Rinku Singh’s story is a reminder that talent alone isn’t enough — perseverance and backing from a franchise can turn a near‑sweeper into a national hero. For every young cricketer in small‑town India, the lesson is clear: one opportunity, one over, can rewrite your entire future.
The path from Aligarh’s two‑room quarters to the Indian dressing room has been anything but smooth. Rinku Singh carried LPG cylinders as a boy, nearly quit cricket for a low‑paying cleaning job, and then delivered one of the most unforgettable overs in IPL history. His engagement to an MP shows a life growing beyond the boundary. For Indian cricket fans, the bet is that his best innings are still ahead — and that the rumors about his father are just that, rumors, until proven otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
How old is Rinku Singh?
Born on 12 October 1997, he is currently 27 years old (as of early 2025).
What is Rinku Singh’s jersey number?
For Kolkata Knight Riders, he wears jersey number 24. For India, he has worn number 35 in T20Is.
Is Rinku Singh a T20 specialist?
Yes. He has played only T20I for India (45 matches) and has not yet made his Test or ODI debut (one ODI appearance in 2023). His first‑class performances have been solid but not yet enough for a Test cap.
Who is Rinku Singh’s coach?
At KKR, he has been mentored by Abhishek Nayar, the team’s high‑performance mentor (KKR official).
Has Rinku Singh played Test cricket?
No. He has not been called up for Test cricket yet.
What is Rinku Singh’s net worth?
Estimates put his net worth at around ₹8–10 crore ($1–1.2 million), largely from IPL contracts, BCCI retainers, and endorsement deals. Exact figures are not publicly audited.
Does Rinku Singh have a Wikipedia page?
Yes, a Wikipedia page exists under the title Rinku Singh (cricketer).
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