Top 5 knocks by Rinku Singh in IPL 2023

In yet another exciting IPL 2023 game on Saturday (May 20), the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) edged the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by a solitary run. As a result, LSG locked up a third-place finish, while KKR were knocked out of contention for the playoffs, finishing the season in seventh place in the points table.

At Eden Gardens, LSG batted first and finished their 20 overs with a respectable score of 176/8. Nicholas Pooran led the LSG batting effort with an outstanding half-century (58 runs off 30 balls), destroying the KKR bowling attack.

For the visitors, Prerak Mankad (20 off 20 balls) and Ayush Badoni (25 off 21 balls) also made significant contributions. Sunil Narine (4-0-28-2), Vaibhav Arora (4-0-30-2), and Harshit Rana (3-0-21-1) were KKR's top three bowlers.

In response, Jason Roy (45 runs off 28 balls) and Venkatesh Iyer (24 runs off 15 balls) got KKR off to a fast start. However, after Iyer was dismissed with the score at 61/1 in 5.5 overs, KKR lost a string of wickets.

The LSG spinners formed a web around the hosts, relentlessly eroding the wickets and preventing them from running away from the game. Rinku Singh (67 runs off 33 balls) then showed why he is one of the best finishers in the league as he almost single-handedly took his side home. In the end, KKR fell short by just one run.

Rinku Singh has been in phenomenal form this year as his exploits have not just made him a strong contender for the Emerging Player Award but also a maiden Team India call-up. KKR were heavily reliant on the youngster and more often than not he delivered.

On that note, let us take a look at five top knocks by Rinku Singh in IPL 2023.

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#5. KKR vs SRH, Match 47 (Rinku Singh - 46 runs off 35 balls)

Batting first on a slow wicket in Hyderabad, KKR posted a competitive total of 171/9 at the end of their 20 overs. The KKR batting effort was propelled by yet another Rinku Singh special. The in-form batter struck four boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 131.43, an innings which proved to be the difference between the two sides in the end.

Chasing 172, SRH fell short by an agonizing five runs in the end. The KKR bowlers stole victory from the jaws of defeat as the Sunrisers failed to score 38 runs in the last five overs with five wickets in hand. With the win, KKR kept their hopes alive in IPL 2023.

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#4. KKR vs CSK, Match 61 (Rinku Singh - 54 runs off 43 balls)

Chasing a competitive target of 145 on a turning pitch in Chennai, KKR had their work cut out. In a must-win game, the visitors were reduced to 33/3 in 4.3 overs. Rinku Singh combined with captain Nish Rana to take their side home. Usually a flamboyant batter, Singh played a measured knock to ensure that KKR broke no sweat on a difficult pitch.

In a mature innings, Singh struck four boundaries and three sixes and batted at a reasonable strike-rate of 125.58. He was unfortunately unable to finish the game as he was run out. However, by the time he was dismissed the result was a mere formality as KKR won by six wickets.

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#3. KKR vs CSK, Match 33 (Rinku Singh - 53* runs off 33 balls)

Chasing a mammoth total of 236, KKR were in all sorts of trouble at 70/4 in 8.2 overs. Jason Roy (61 runs off 26 balls) and Rinku Singh (53* runs off 33 balls) added some sort of respectability to the KKR score with their swashbuckling half-centuries. As was the case throughout the season, Singh was left with too much to be done in the end.

The left-handed batter struck three fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 160.61. If it were not for his heroics, KKR would have easily lost by anywhere between 60-80 runs, thereby adversely affecting their NRR. In the end, KKR reached a respectable score of 186/8 at the end of their 20 overs.

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#2. KKR vs LSG, Match 68 (Rinku Singh - 67* runs off 33 balls)

In what was his final act of heroics in IPL 2023, Rinku Singh scored an unbeaten half-century in KKR's final league match, bringing them within touching distance of an improbable win. Singh (67* runs off 33 balls) yet again played a fantastic knock for his side. In his whirlwind knock that came at a strike-rate of 203.03, he struck six fours and four sixes.

With 41 runs needed off the last two overs, Rinku Singh struck four fours and three sixes in just 11 balls to show yet again why he is a serious candidate for a spot in the Indian team. KKR have unearthed a precious jewel in him and is sure to play a crucial role for them in the years to come.

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#1. GT vs KKR, Match 13 (Rinku Singh - 48* runs off 21 balls)

Not just one of the greatest innings but also one of the greatest matches in the tournament's history, Rinku Singh etched his name forever in IPL folklore with his heroics against the Gujarat Titans. It seemed yet another game where the GT juggernaut would continue to steamroll towards another two points.

Chasing a 205-run target, a hat-trick by Rashid Khan, where he dismissed Andre Russell, Shardul Thakur and Sunil Narine, pegged back KKR to 155/7 in 16.3 overs. However, Singh had other plans.

KKR required 28 runs of just five balls against the highly-impressive Yash Dayal. The result seemed to be a mere formality until Singh struck five consecutive sixes to win the match for his side. In his 48-run knock, he struck six sixes and one four as he completed an almost impossible win for his side. He was awarded the POTM award for his heroics.

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With that, we complete our piece on five top knocks by Rinku Singh in IPL 2023. Can you think of any other top innings by him this season? Let us know in the comments section below.