"Even 50-55 lakh is a lot" - Rinku Singh on his modest IPL salary

Rinku Singh is feeling a “little bad” but isn’t too worried about not getting picked in India’s main squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. The left-handed batter has been named in the reserves despite having a stunning record in T20Is.

The 26-year-old has featured in 15 T20Is for India and slammed 356 runs at an average of 89 and a strike rate of 176.23. Rinku, who’s currently one of the best finishers going around in the 20-over format, didn’t have a great IPL 2024. In 11 innings, he scored 168 runs @ 18.66 and a strike rate of 148.67.

"Yes, anyone feels a little bad if he is not selected despite good performance. However, this time I could not get selected due to the team combination. It is okay, one should not think too much about things that are not in one's hands. Yes, I was a little upset in the beginning. Whatever happened is fine. Whatever happens, happens for good," Rinku Singh told Dainik Jagaran.

He even had a word with India’s captain Rohit Sharma during Kolkata Knight Riders’ match against Mumbai Indians. "Rohit Bhaiya did not say anything special. He only said that just keep working hard. There is a World Cup again after two years. There is no need to worry too much. This is what he said to me.”

Talking about Rohit’s captaincy, Rinku added: "The whole world has seen how good his captaincy is. If I talk about myself personally, I have done only one tour with him so far. I have not even talked to him much. He supports the youth a lot. He only wants the youth to do well and he always says that play, do well.”

The left-hander didn’t do much in the IPL 2024 but did win his maiden IPL trophy with the Knight Riders. Since 2022, Rinku has been an integral part of the KKR set-up but still has a salary of just INR 55 lakh. Rinku, however, made it clear that he is very happy with the amount.

"Even Rs 50-55 lakh is a lot. When I started, I had not even thought that I would earn so much. At that time, I was a kid, and if I got even 5-10 rupees, I thought I would get it somehow. Now I am getting 55 lakh rupees, so this is a lot, I should be happy with whatever God gives me. 

“This is my thinking. I don't think at all that I should have got this much money or that much. I am very happy even with 55 lakh rupees. When I didn't have this, I realized the value of money.

"If I tell you the truth today, then all this is an illusion. You did not bring anything with you, nor will you take anything with you. You never know when the time will change. I would like to say that you have to go back the same way you came. Stay grounded, what else," Rinku concluded. 

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