Rinku Singh: Biography, Career, Stats, and Engagement

When a young cricketer from Aligarh smashed five consecutive sixes in the final over of an IPL match, it wasn’t a fluke. It was the culmination of years of quiet struggle after losing his father and playing in local leagues.

Full name: Rinku Khanchand Singh ·
Date of birth: 12 October 1997 ·
Batting style: Left-handed ·
Role: Middle-order batter ·
IPL team: Kolkata Knight Riders ·
International debut: 2023

Eight facts that define Rinku Singh’s profile: from his birth date to his relationship status.

Is Rinku Singh single or married?

Engagement to Priya Saroj

• Announced: 8 June 2025
• Location: Lucknow
• Reported by Hindustan Times, Indian newspaper and NDTV, Indian news broadcaster

Rinku Singh’s engagement to Priya Saroj, a candidate from the Samajwadi Party, was a private ceremony attended by family and close friends. The event made headlines across Indian media, marking the first public confirmation of his relationship status.

Relationship status as of 2024

• No public relationship before engagement
• Never married, per BCCI (Indian cricket board)

Prior to 2025, Rinku Singh kept his personal life out of the spotlight. His BCCI profile does not list any marital status, confirming he was never married before the engagement.

Did Rinku Singh ever marry?

• No
• Engagement is first step, wedding date not set

He has not been married. The engagement is his first public step toward marriage, with no official date announced for a wedding.

The implication: Rinku Singh’s personal life remains private, but the engagement marks a new chapter.

How did Rinku Singh’s father pass away?

Cause of father’s death

• Father Khanchand Singh died in 2020
• Exact cause not publicly disclosed, according to Cricbuzz, cricket news outlet

Khanchand Singh, an LPG delivery man, passed away in 2020. The family faced financial hardship afterward, as Rinku was only 22 at the time and had to support his family.

Impact on Rinku’s cricket career

• Rinku considered quitting cricket after father’s death
• But father’s dream motivated him to continue

In an interview with The Indian Express (Indian daily newspaper), Rinku Singh said his father’s dream was to see him play for India. That memory drove him through the tough years.

The pattern: grief became grit, propelling Rinku to international success.

Why is Rinku Singh so famous?

Five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023

• Hit five sixes off Yash Dayal’s final over for KKR vs Gujarat Titans
• Required 29 runs from 6 balls
• Described by ESPNcricinfo as one of the most remarkable finishes in IPL history

On 9 April 2023, Rinku Singh etched his name in IPL folklore. Chasing 205 against Gujarat Titans, KKR needed 29 off the final over; Rinku hit six, six, four, six, six, six to seal an improbable win. The video went viral globally.

International debut for India

• T20I debut: August 2023 against Ireland
• ODI debut: December 2023 against South Africa
• Confirmed by ESPNcricinfo

After the IPL performance, he was quickly called up to the Indian team. He made his T20I debut in August 2023 and his ODI debut later that year.

Role as a finisher

• Known for power-hitting in death overs
• Strike rate in T20Is above 140, per Wikipedia (community-maintained stats)

Rinku’s ability to clear the ropes under pressure has made him a key finisher for both KKR and India. His fearless approach in the final overs is his trademark.

What are Rinku Singh’s career statistics?

IPL career stats

• Total IPL matches: 73 (as of 2024)
• IPL 2023: 474 runs at a strike rate of 149.5, according to ESPNcricinfo
• But note: MrCricketUAE data shows conflicting 62 runs – use with caution

In IPL 2023, he was one of the most impactful batters, scoring crucial runs in the middle and death overs.

International career stats

• T20I matches: 45, runs: 665, per Wikipedia
• ODI matches: 2, runs: 55, per ESPNcricinfo
• Strike rate in T20Is: above 140

Despite limited opportunities, Rinku has maintained impressive numbers in the shorter format, though his ODI career is just beginning.

Domestic cricket stats

• First-class matches: 52, runs: 3,677, per Wikipedia
• T20 domestic matches: 177, runs: 3,441, per ESPNcricinfo

For Uttar Pradesh in domestic tournaments, he has been a consistent performer, earning his IPL and national call-ups.

The catch: always verify stats against authoritative sources like ESPNcricinfo or BCCI.

What is Rinku Singh’s early life and background?

Birth and family

• Born 12 October 1997 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
• Father Khanchand Singh was an LPG delivery man
• Brother drove an auto-rickshaw, per Cricbuzz, cricket news outlet

Rinku grew up in a modest household in Aligarh. His family’s financial situation was tight, and cricket initially seemed an unlikely career.

Cricket journey from Aligarh

• Started playing cricket in local tournaments
• Joined KKR academy after impressing in trials
• Climbed through age-group cricket, per BCCI (Indian cricket board)

His talent was spotted early, and he moved through the ranks of Uttar Pradesh cricket before catching the eye of IPL scouts.

Influence of his father

• Father supported his cricket despite financial hardship
• Wanted to see him play for India
• Quoted in The Indian Express (Indian daily newspaper)

Rinku has often credited his father’s dream as the driving force behind his career. Even after his father’s death, that dream remains his motivation.

What this means: hardship became the catalyst for his remarkable journey.

Rinku Singh’s story is not just about cricket highlights – it’s about resilience. For a young man from Aligarh who lost his father and faced poverty, the journey to becoming one of India’s most dangerous finishers is remarkable. For fans of the sport, the implication is clear: watch him closely, because his best may still be ahead.

For more athlete biographies, see Jose Altuve: Height, Wife, Salary, Net Worth, Career Highlights and Brooks Koepka: 5-Time Major Winner, LIV Return to PGA Tour.

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