Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter Rinku Singh impressed one and all with his exploits in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

In 14 innings, Rinku amassed 474 runs at a brilliant average and strike rate of 59.25 and 149.52 respectively. More than the impressive numbers, the southpaw captured everyone’s imagination by finishing games for KKR from difficult situations.

On Saturday (May 20), Rinku Singh almost pulled off another victory from the jaws of defeat for KKR while playing against Lucknow Super Giants at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Chasing 177 to win, Knight Riders were struggling at 136/7 after 18 overs. However, Rinku kept the hosts in the hunt as he slammed 67* off 33 balls (6 fours and 4 sixes) to take his team to 175/7 in 20 overs.

Although KKR lost the match by a narrow margin of one run, skipper Nitish Rana hailed Rinku Singh’s effort with the bat.

"I feel, in 14 matches I have captained, I have talked about Rinku Singh only. He is very close to me and I know how well he has delivered. I am lost for words for Rinku. If he can bat this way in these crunch situations, you now how good he is," Rana said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

The KKR captain further said there were a number of positives for his side this season, while also adding that they will bounce back stronger next year.

"The result didn't go in our favour but there are positives for us. We did better in a lot of things and we hope that we will come back stronger next season. You need to do well in all three departments and win matches back-to-back. We had the ability to finish well in the crunch situations but failed to finish it," Nitish Rana added.

KKR endured a dismal IPL 2023 campaign. In 14 matches, they managed to register only six wins and finished at the seventh spot on the points table featuring 10 teams.