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April 9 2023. KKR were chasing 205 against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. They needed 29 runs off the last five balls. The match was gone. Everyone watching knew it was gone. The commentators knew it. The GT fielders knew it.
Rinku Singh was on strike.
He hit five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal. Five balls. Five sixes. KKR won by one wicket. The whole stadium went silent for a second and then erupted. Social media crashed with his name. A man from Aligarh whose father delivered gas cylinders for a living had just played one of the most extraordinary innings in IPL history.
That moment did not come from nowhere. It came from years of working-class struggle, two missed seasons, a salary cut, a knee injury, a father who sacrificed everything and a boy who refused to stop believing.
This is the full Rinku Singh story.
RINKU SINGH BIOGRAPHY
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| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rinku Khanchand Singh |
| Date of Birth | October 12, 1997 |
| Age | 28 years (as of June 2026) |
| Birthplace | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Height | 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 65 kg |
| Role | Left-handed Middle-order Batter & Finisher |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm Off-break (Occasional) |
| Jersey Number | 35 (India & Kolkata Knight Riders) |
| IPL Team | Kolkata Knight Riders (2018–2026) |
| IPL Role | Vice-captain of KKR (IPL 2026) |
| IPL Salary | ₹13 Crore (Retained by KKR for 2025 & 2026) |
| Domestic Team | Uttar Pradesh |
| T20I Debut | August 18, 2023 vs Ireland |
| ODI Debut | December 19, 2023 vs South Africa |
| Test Debut | Not yet (as of June 2026) |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Caste | Scheduled Caste (Dalit Community) |
| @rinkusingh235 |
Source: ESPNcricinfo
Family — The Real Foundation
Rinku Singh grew up in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh in a family that was always one difficult month away from serious hardship.
His father Khanchand Singh delivered LPG gas cylinders for a living. He loaded them on to a cart, pushed them through the streets of Aligarh and earned a small daily wage. It was physical, demanding work. There was nothing glamorous about it. The family lived in a small home. Money was tight every single month.
Khanchand Singh is the reason Rinku plays cricket. He saw his son’s ability early. He encouraged him to keep going even when the family’s financial situation made cricket feel like a luxury they could not afford. Kits, travel, training, tournaments — none of it is free. For a family living on a gas cylinder delivery wage it required sacrifice at every step.
His father passed away in February 2026. Rinku has spoken about how much his father meant to him — how every big innings carries the weight of what the family went through. He was part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 winning campaign and one of the quietest moments after that win was knowing his father would have seen it.
His mother’s name is Vina Devi. She held the household together through all the years when cricket seemed like a dream too far. Rinku is one of five siblings — the third child in the family. He has two brothers and two sisters.
There was a period in his early years when Rinku considered taking a sweeper’s job to help support the family. He has spoken about this openly. The thought of abandoning cricket to earn money was real. It was his family’s belief and his own stubborn refusal to give up that kept him on the cricket path.
Education
Rinku Singh studied up to Class 9 — ninth grade. He left school after that to focus entirely on cricket. Formal education ended early because the demands of cricket training and the family’s financial situation made continuing school very difficult. He has spoken about not having regrets about that choice given how cricket has changed his life.
Rinku Singh Caste
Rinku Singh belongs to the Scheduled Caste (Dalit) community in Uttar Pradesh. He has been open about his background and the challenges of coming from a community that has historically faced barriers in accessing elite cricket infrastructure and networks. His journey from Aligarh to the India T20 team has been cited by many as an example of what is possible when talent meets persistence regardless of background.
Early Cricket Career
Rinku represented Uttar Pradesh at Under-16, Under-19 and Under-23 levels. His List A debut came on March 5 2014 for Uttar Pradesh. His first-class debut was on November 5 2016 in the Ranji Trophy. He made his domestic T20 debut on March 31 2014.
His early domestic cricket was promising without being spectacular. He was not the most talked-about prospect from Uttar Pradesh. He was not on any fast-track list. He was just a left-handed batter from Aligarh who could hit the ball a long way and had the temperament to bat under pressure.
The moment that put him on the radar in domestic cricket was in 2022 — a 42 off 23 balls against Rajasthan Royals where he won his first IPL Player of the Match award. From that point people started paying attention.
Rinku Singh IPL Journey — Every Auction and Price
This is the complete year-by-year story of Rinku Singh’s IPL career from 10 lakh to 13 crore.
2017 — Punjab Kings — 10 lakh
Punjab Kings were the first franchise to bid for Rinku Singh at the 2017 IPL auction. They bought him for 10 lakh. He was on the squad. He never played a single match for them. At the end of the season Punjab released him.
2018 — Kolkata Knight Riders — 80 lakh
KKR bought him for 80 lakh at the 2018 auction. This was the real beginning. He made his IPL debut for KKR in 2018 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. He played matches but did not make a major impact in his early KKR seasons.
2019 — KKR — 80 lakh
Retained at the same price. He showed progress but was not yet a regular in the playing XI. He played some matches but his opportunities were limited.
2020 — KKR — 80 lakh
Still at 80 lakh. A difficult year personally and professionally. Limited opportunities. His confidence was being tested.
2021 — KKR — 80 lakh
Four seasons at KKR for the same price. A knee injury affected this season significantly. KKR stuck with him despite the injury. That loyalty from the franchise meant everything to him.
2022 — KKR — 55 lakh
The mega auction happened and Rinku’s price actually dropped to 55 lakh. A pay cut. Most players at a salary cut point either lose confidence or find another motivation. Rinku found motivation. In 2022 he finally started showing what he could do — 174 runs in 7 matches at a strike rate of 148. His 42 off 23 balls against Rajasthan Royals won him his first Player of the Match.
2023 — KKR — 55 lakh
Still at 55 lakh. But 2023 was the year everything changed. He scored 474 runs in 14 matches at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.52. He hit four half-centuries. And on April 9 he hit those five sixes off Yash Dayal and became a name that every Indian cricket fan knew within 24 hours. At 55 lakh he was the most undervalued cricketer in the IPL.
2024 — KKR — 55 lakh
Still at 55 lakh. One of the great quirks of IPL contracting — KKR had him at a bargain price for one more year. He scored 168 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 148.67. KKR won the IPL 2024 title. Rinku’s finishing ability was central to that title run.
2025 — KKR — 13 crore
Before the 2025 mega auction KKR retained Rinku Singh for 13 crore. From 55 lakh to 13 crore. A jump of 24 times. One of the biggest salary increases in IPL history. When the news broke Rinku posted on Instagram: “Our love story has just begun.” He has been KKR’s player his whole career and that retention was the moment the relationship was formalised at a level that matched his actual value.
2026 — KKR — 13 crore
Retained again at 13 crore for IPL 2026. Appointed vice-captain of KKR for IPL 2026 — the biggest leadership role of his career so far.
Total career IPL salary earned from 2017 to 2026: Over 30 crore across all seasons combined.
Also Read- Kuldeep Yadav Biography 2026 — Age, Height, Wife, IPL Career, Stats and Records
IPL Stats
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches | 73 |
| Runs | 1,394 |
| Batting Average | 34.00 |
| Strike Rate | 145+ |
| Highest Score | 83* |
| Half-centuries (50s) | 6 |
| Fours | 114 |
| Sixes | 67 |
| Best IPL Season | 2023 |
| 2023 Season Stats | 474 runs in 14 matches |
| 2023 Average | 59.25 |
| 2023 Strike Rate | 149.52 |
India Career
Rinku Singh made his T20I debut on August 18 2023 against Ireland. He made his ODI debut on December 19 2023 against South Africa. He has not yet made his Test debut as of June 2026.
He was part of India’s 2026 T20 World Cup winning squad. He was also part of the India squad for the tour of Ireland in June 2026 — playing at the very ground in Belfast where he made his T20I debut three years earlier.
Also Read- Shivam Dube Biography 2026 — Age, Height, Wife, IPL Career, Stats and Records
Rinku Singh Wife and Personal Life
Rinku Singh is not married as of June 2026. He has been linked romantically with Priya Saroj who is a politician from Uttar Pradesh — elected to the Lok Sabha from Machhlishahr constituency. The two have been seen together publicly and their association has been reported by multiple Indian media outlets. However neither Rinku nor Priya Saroj has officially confirmed a relationship or any wedding plans as of June 2026.
Rinku keeps his personal life largely private. His Instagram posts focus primarily on cricket, his KKR work and tributes to his family. He has not made any public statement about marriage plans.
Rinku Singh Father
Rinku Singh’s father was Khanchand Singh. He worked delivering LPG gas cylinders — physically demanding daily labour — to support the family in Aligarh. He passed away in February 2026. Rinku has described his father as the reason he plays cricket. Every time he walked out to bat in pressure situations he thought about what his father had done to give him the chance to be there.
The image that stays with anyone who follows Rinku’s story is simple. His father delivering gas cylinders through the streets of Aligarh. His son hitting five consecutive sixes in the last over of an IPL match watched by millions of people. The distance between those two images is what Rinku Singh’s biography is really about.
Rinku Singh Net Worth
Rinku Singh’s net worth is estimated at approximately 15 to 20 crore rupees as of 2026.
His primary income is his KKR IPL salary of 13 crore per season. He also has a BCCI contract from being part of the India T20I and ODI squads. His endorsement portfolio has grown significantly since the five sixes in 2023 — he was almost unknown before that night and one of the most recognisable cricketers in India the morning after.
He has spoken in interviews about buying a house for his mother and siblings after his big KKR retention. He has also spoken about giving his family financial security — something that was not available to them during his childhood. His net worth reflects not just what he has earned but what that earning means after years of financial pressure in Aligarh.
Rinku Singh Instagram
Rinku Singh’s official Instagram handle is @rinkusingh235. He has over 4 million followers as of June 2026.
His Instagram is personal and warm. He posts cricket content — nets sessions, match moments, KKR celebrations — alongside family tributes, especially posts about his father. Since his father passed away in February 2026 some of his most emotional posts have been tributes to Khanchand Singh.
He also posted “Our love story has just begun” when KKR announced his 13 crore retention for IPL 2025. That post got millions of likes. The relationship between Rinku Singh and KKR is something his followers feel genuinely invested in.
Records and Achievements
Only Indian batter to hit five consecutive sixes in an IPL over — off Yash Dayal against Gujarat Titans on April 9 2023.
Only batter in IPL history to hit five sixes in the final over of a T20 chase when the game appeared completely lost.
KKR’s leading run-scorer in IPL 2023 with 474 runs at an average of 59.25.
IPL 2024 champion with Kolkata Knight Riders.
Part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 winning squad.
KKR vice-captain for IPL 2026 — the first leadership role of his career.
Salary increase from 55 lakh to 13 crore — one of the biggest single-auction jumps in IPL history at 24 times increase.
FANTASY
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Q: How old is Rinku Singh?
A: Rinku Singh is 28 years old as of June 2026. He was born on October 12 1997 in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
Q: What is Rinku Singh’s Instagram?
A: Rinku Singh’s official Instagram handle is @rinkusingh235. He has over 4 million followers. He posts cricket content, KKR updates and personal tributes especially to his father who passed away in February 2026.
Q: What is Rinku Singh’s IPL price in 2026?
A: Rinku Singh’s IPL price in 2026 is 13 crore. He was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders at this price for both IPL 2025 and IPL 2026. He is also KKR’s vice-captain for IPL 2026.
Q: Who is Rinku Singh’s father?
A: Rinku Singh’s father was Khanchand Singh who worked delivering LPG gas cylinders in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. He passed away in February 2026. Rinku has spoken about how his father’s sacrifices made his cricket career possible.
Q: Is Rinku Singh married? Who is Rinku Singh’s wife?
A: Rinku Singh is not married as of June 2026. He has been linked with Priya Saroj, a politician from Uttar Pradesh, but neither has confirmed a relationship or wedding plans. He keeps his personal life private.
Q: What is Rinku Singh’s caste?
A: Rinku Singh belongs to the Scheduled Caste (Dalit) community in Uttar Pradesh. He has been open about his background and his journey from Aligarh is widely cited as an inspiring example for young cricketers from similar backgrounds.
Q: What is Rinku Singh’s net worth?
A: Rinku Singh’s net worth is estimated at approximately 15 to 20 crore rupees as of 2026. His primary income is his KKR IPL salary of 13 crore per season. He has also grown his endorsement portfolio significantly since the five sixes in IPL 2023.
Q: Which state does Rinku Singh play for in domestic cricket?
A: Rinku Singh plays for Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket — the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Q: What is Rinku Singh’s complete IPL auction price history?
A: 2017 Punjab Kings 10 lakh (did not play). 2018 KKR 80 lakh. 2019 KKR 80 lakh. 2020 KKR 80 lakh. 2021 KKR 80 lakh. 2022 KKR 55 lakh. 2023 KKR 55 lakh (five sixes season). 2024 KKR 55 lakh. 2025 KKR 13 crore retained. 2026 KKR 13 crore retained.
Q: When did Rinku Singh hit five sixes in one over?
A: Rinku Singh hit five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal against Gujarat Titans on April 9 2023 in Ahmedabad. KKR needed 29 runs off the last five balls when Rinku was on strike. He hit five sixes in five balls and KKR won by one wicket. It is one of the most famous finishes in IPL history.
Q: What is Rinku Singh’s highest IPL score?
A: Rinku Singh’s highest IPL score is 83 not out. He has scored 1394 runs in 73 IPL matches at an average of 34.00 with six half-centuries.