Rinku Singh, having made a name for himself in the shorter formats of the game with the Indian cricket team, is poised to take on the role of captain for Uttar Pradesh in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, which commences on Saturday. This marks his inaugural experience as a senior state team captain. His selection as captain coincides with the Kolkata Knight Riders' anticipated announcement of a new leader.

The Kolkata franchise recently parted ways with skipper Shreyas Iyer prior to the IPL auction, while Rinku was among the six players retained by the team. The other five retained players include Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, and Ramandeep Singh. A significant number of fans have expressed their support for Rinku to assume the captaincy of KKR, particularly in light of his pivotal contributions. Conversely, some supporters speculate that Venkatesh Iyer may be appointed as the new captain, especially following KKR's substantial investment of ₹23.75 Cr in the Indian all-rounder.

This year, Rinku successfully led the Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League, guiding them to victory while amassing 210 runs in nine innings at an impressive strike rate of 161.54. In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, the 27-year-old emphasized that his primary focus is on leading Uttar Pradesh and that he remains unfazed by the speculation surrounding the KKR captaincy. “I am not overthinking about the captaincy of KKR in the new IPL season,” he stated. “I am focused on my plans for Uttar Pradesh, as I want my team to regain the trophy we had won for the first time in 2015-16.”

Rinku Singh to take up the new role?

Rinku is expected to assume a new position in the forthcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy or IPL 2025. He showcased his off-spin bowling skills during the UPT20 League, and many supporters are eager to witness this talent in the upcoming tournaments. "I experimented with off-spin bowling at the UPT20 League. Modern cricket necessitates a well-rounded player—someone who can bat, bowl, and field effectively. I am now concentrating on enhancing my bowling skills. As the captain of Uttar Pradesh, I have a more significant role to fulfill, and I am prepared for this challenge," he stated.

"I never anticipated being considered for the Indian team when I hit five consecutive sixes in the IPL last year. That moment became a pivotal turning point in my career. I still believe that if it is meant to be, it will happen, as determined by a higher power. However, I recognize the importance of diligently working on my craft," he continued.

Since making his international debut in 2023, Rinku has played for India in two ODIs and 30 T20Is. In ODIs, he has accumulated 55 runs with a strike rate of 134.15, while in T20Is, he has scored 507 runs at a strike rate of 166.15.

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