NEW DELHI: Rinku Singh’s remarkable feat of hitting five consecutive sixes in the final over of an IPL 2023 match against Gujarat Titans has firmly cemented his place in cricketing memory and given him a distinct identity among fans. That sensational finish for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) highlighted his ability to perform under extreme pressure and marked the moment when Rinku truly announced himself on the big stage.Chasing a daunting target of 29 runs in the final over, Rinku produced an extraordinary display of power-hitting. He struck 31 runs off the last six deliveries — including five consecutive sixes — to guide KKR to an improbable victory.
Reflecting on that historic moment, Rinku said: “Yes, people know me because of that match, and since then expectations have gone up a lot. I’ve received so much love from everyone. After those five sixes, I got a different identity altogether — not just for myself, but for the whole of India. For me, it was a huge moment. The team needed 29 runs, and then five sixes came in a row.”He added, “It was like a dream — these things don’t happen every day. It happened to me, and I’m thankful to the Almighty for that. All the hard work I had put in over the years felt rewarded in that one innings. In that moment, I felt God gave me everything,” Rinku told TimesofIndia.com.Rinku’s consistent performances have earned him a spot in India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on September 9 in the UAE.India has been drawn in Group A alongside Oman, hosts UAE, and arch-rivals Pakistan, while Group B includes Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka.India will open their campaign against UAE on September 10 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The high-stakes clash against Pakistan follows on September 14 at the same venue, with the final group match against Oman set for September 19 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.