Rinku Singh: From Rising Star to Uncertain Future Ahead of Asia Cup 2025, Rinku Singh, once celebrated as India’s next big T20I finisher, has hit a worrying slump. Over the past year, his form has dipped both in international cricket and the IPL, casting doubt over his place in India’s Asia Cup squad.
Back in 2023, when the Uttar Pradesh batter smashed 474 runs in a standout IPL season for Kolkata Knight Riders, he looked destined for greatness. That purple patch earned him a swift India call-up for the Ireland tour, and his early T20I performances only strengthened the belief that India had finally found a dependable lower-order match-winner.
But the dream run didn’t last long. When Rinku was named merely a travelling reserve for the 2024 T20 World Cup, many felt it was an unfair snub. His international numbers at the time offered little justification for such a demotion, and optimism lingered that his big stage was still around the corner.
Instead, his graph has trended downward. A year on, Rinku finds himself far from a guaranteed pick for the Asia Cup, with both form and confidence deserting him. The fearless stroke-maker who once lit up stadiums has looked tentative for India and KKR alike, leaving fans to wonder if the spark that promised so much is already flickering out.
Tale of Two Halves
Rinku Singh’s T20I journey so far feels like a story split into two starkly contrasting chapters.
The first chapter was nothing short of a dream. Until India’s T20I series against Bangladesh last year, Rinku looked unstoppable. In just 19 innings, he piled up 479 runs at a staggering average of 59.87 and a strike-rate of 175.45, peppered with three fifties. Every innings seemed to reinforce the belief that India had unearthed its next great T20 finisher.
Then came the second chapter — a sharp, worrying slide. Since that peak, Rinku has struggled to find his rhythm, and the numbers paint a grim picture. In India’s last two bilateral series against South Africa and England, he endured a torrid run: just 67 runs across seven games, averaging 13.40 with his strike-rate dipping to 101.51.(Asia Cup)
The South Africa tour was particularly brutal to watch. There, Rinku scraped together only 28 runs at an average of 9.33, striking at a woeful 82.35 — a far cry from the fearless hitter who once finished games with ease.
So, what went wrong? Has the burden of expectations begun to weigh him down, or have opposition bowlers cracked the code against him far too soon?
According to sources, Mohammed Siraj was selected for the #AsiaCup 2025, but he said, “If we are playing a match against Pakistan in Asia Cup, don’t select me.”
— Dr Nimo Yadav 2.0 (@DrNimoYadav) August 19, 2025
As a result, Siraj’s name is not in the squad.
Well done Siraj. pic.twitter.com/myJb8oDOz8
Rinku Singh’s Numbers Tell the Story
Until October 12, 2024
- Matches: 26
- Innings: 19
- Not Outs: 11
- Runs: 479
- Highest Score: 69
- Average: 59.87
- Strike-rate: 175.45
- 50s: 3
From October 13, 2024 onwards
- Matches: 7
- Innings: 5
- Not Outs: 0
- Runs: 67
- Highest Score: 30
- Average: 13.40
- Strike-rate: 101.51
- 50s: 0
The contrast is stark. From being one of India’s most consistent T20I finishers to struggling for runs, Rinku’s slide has been as swift as his rise.
Poor IPL Form Adds to Woes
Rinku’s struggles haven’t been limited to international cricket. His performances in the IPL — once the stage that made him a household name — have done little to rebuild his confidence.
In IPL 2024, he managed just 168 runs at an average of 18.66, following a modest 206-run season in 2023 at 29.42. Even more concerning, he has gone 28 consecutive IPL innings without crossing fifty.
Much of this slump has to do with batting position. With the Impact Player rule reshaping team combinations, Rinku has rarely batted in the top five. In IPL 2025, he came in at No. 4 just once, spending most of his time at No. 6 or even lower at No. 7 and No. 8.
The lack of opportunities is telling. Only once in the entire 2025 season did Rinku face more than 20 ballsn in Asia Cup — he scored 36 at a healthy strike-rate of 144, helping KKR secure a win. In the very next game, his 19* off 10 balls was crucial in a one-run thriller against Rajasthan Royals. But instead of building on that, Rinku found himself pushed back down the order again.
That inconsistency in role, coupled with limited time at the crease, has clearly dented his rhythm. For a player who thrives on confidence and momentum, the lack of playtime has only deepened his slump.
Rinku Singh’s IPL Journey Since 2022
- 2025 – Matches: 13 | Runs: 206 | Avg: 29.42 | HS: 38*
- 2024 – Matches: 15 | Runs: 168 | Avg: 18.66 | HS: 26
- 2023 – Matches: 14 | Runs: 474 | Avg: 59.25 | HS: 67*
- 2022 – Matches: 7 | Runs: 174 | Avg: 34.80 | HS: 42*
READ ALSO – Zakir Khan: First Indian to Perform Hindi Comedy at Madison Square Garden
From a breakout star in 2023 to struggling for runs in the following seasons, Rinku Singh’s IPL career tells a tale of both promise and frustration.
Once hailed as India’s next great T20 finisher, the left-hander now finds himself caught in a battle with form, confidence, and consistency. The fearless striker who once thrived in high-pressure chases has looked unusually tentative in recent outings — not only in the IPL but also for India in T20Is.
This leaves the selectors with a dilemma. Should they take a gamble, trusting Rinku to rediscover his magic on a big stage like the Asia Cup? Or should they turn to in-form contenders who bring greater reliability right now?
Ultimately, Asia Cup the call isn’t just about statistics — it’s about faith. Do India believe Rinku’s best days are still ahead of him, or has the brightest phase of his career already passed?
By
