Mahi Bhai’s advice to play straight helped me massively, asserts Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh became a sensation in the Indian Premier League after hitting Yash Dayal for five consecutive sixes in the last over to lead Kolkata Knight Riders to an unlikely victory against Gujarat Titans. But that was just the beginning of a trail that made Rinku one of Kolkata's most loved and sought-after cricketers, with the UP batter backing that up with consistent performances. 

What changed for him? Already a swash-buckling batter on the domestic circuit, Rinku didn’t really make any changes rather just followed MS Dhoni’s advice of playing more straight-batted strokes.

“During the CSK game I had a chat with Mahi bhai on how to handle the close finishes. He said 'let the bowler do what he wants, you stand and focus on finishing'. It's because of practice, bahut sari (a lot of) practice. I don't look for innovations and try to play to my strengths. I always remember what Mahi bhai had advised which was 'if you look to play straight, it would be better',” Rinku told in an interview with Cricbuzz.

In the last game against Lucknow Super Giants, Rinku failed to replicate the same magic, with KKR needing 41 runs off the last two overs, but that also made him realise that probably knocks like that wouldn’t happen every single time.

“Yes, that's right (that everyone expected me to do it). It was similar to the five sixes' game (against Gujarat Titans) and we needed 41 in two overs here (at the Eden). I had self-belief and I was also reminiscing about that GT innings (when he smashed five sixes off the last five balls when 29 were needed to win). Having done that, I was confident that I would be able to do it again. Maybe it doesn't happen every time,” the UP batter added.

Further, Rinku thanked the KKR team management for continuosly backing him which eventually came good in the form of a good season with the bat. "The franchise has helped me a lot. Venky (Mysore, the CEO) Sir has been very supportive when I had an injury. It has been 6-7 years playing for KKR. I am very thankful to the franchise management," Rinku added.