Rinku Singh, born October 12, 1997, is India’s explosive T20 finisher. From LPG cylinders in Aligarh to ₹13 crore IPL deals — explore his full biography, career, and net worth.
Rinku Singh is one of the most compelling stories Indian cricket has produced in years. Born into financial hardship in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, he is today one of the most feared finishers in T20 cricket — a left-handed batter whose ability to change a match in the final three overs has made him essential to both Kolkata Knight Riders and the Indian national team.
His name entered cricket folklore on April 6, 2023, when he hit five consecutive sixes in the last over of an IPL match to pull off an almost-impossible chase. But the more lasting story is the one behind that moment — the years of waiting, the near-misses, the family’s sacrifices, and the quiet refusal to give up.
Quick Facts About Rinku Singh
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rinku Khanchand Singh |
| Date of Birth | October 12, 1997 |
| Age | 28 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.66 m) |
| Batting Style | Left-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm off-break |
| Role | Middle-order finisher |
| Domestic Team | Uttar Pradesh (2014–present) |
| IPL Team | Kolkata Knight Riders (2018–present) |
| IPL Salary | ₹13 crore per season (2025–26) |
| International Debut | T20I vs Ireland, August 18, 2023 |
| Net Worth | ~₹20–28 crore (est. 2026) |
| Fiancée | Priya Saroj (engaged June 2025) |
| Jersey Number | 35 |
Early Life: Gas Cylinders and a Cricket Dream
Rinku Singh was born on October 12, 1997, into a working-class family in Aligarh. His father, Khanchand Singh, worked for an LPG cylinder distribution company — delivering gas cylinders to households across the city. The family lived in a small staff accommodation provided by the company, and money was a constant concern.
Rinku was the third of five brothers — Sonu, Mukul, Rinku, Shilu, and Jeetu — and also has a sister, Neha. The household was crowded, modest, and affectionate. He attended Delhi Public School, Aligarh, admitted through the sports quota, but financial pressures eventually forced him to drop out. He has spoken in interviews about failing the ninth standard and leaving school to help ease the family’s burden.
At one point, the situation became dire enough that Rinku considered taking work as a domestic laborer. That he did not — that he instead kept going back to the cricket pitch — is the decision that changed everything. His father, despite the financial strain, never told him to abandon the sport. That belief cost the family real sacrifice.
Domestic Career: The Long Wait Before the Spotlight
Rinku’s talent surfaced early through Uttar Pradesh age-group cricket. He represented UP at the Under-16, Under-19, and Under-23 levels, and made his List A debut in March 2014 at just 16 years old — top-scoring with 83 runs in that very first match. His first-class debut followed in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy, and he quickly became a dependable contributor in UP’s middle order.
The domestic grind was long. He was a consistent performer for Uttar Pradesh across formats, but consistent performers without a single breakout moment can spend years waiting for the opportunity that changes everything. Rinku waited six seasons in IPL before that moment arrived.
He has also shown red-ball quality when given the chance. In the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, he posted back-to-back centuries — 165 not out against Andhra and a career-best 176 against Tamil Nadu — in difficult batting conditions. These innings expanded the conversation about his potential beyond T20 finishing roles alone.
The IPL Journey: From the Fringes to Five Sixes
Rinku’s IPL story is a study in perseverance. He was first bought by Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) at the 2017 auction but never played a match for them. Kolkata Knight Riders signed him for the 2018 season and gave him his IPL debut — but for the next four years, he played sporadically, 17 matches across that stretch, without the extended run that would allow him to truly show what he could do.
A side injury in 2021 cost him an entire season. KKR retained him anyway. That decision — to back a player who hadn’t yet delivered a defining IPL moment — would prove one of the more astute calls in recent franchise history.
The reckoning came on April 6, 2023, in a match against Gujarat Titans in Kolkata. KKR needed 28 runs off the final 5 balls, with Rinku at the crease. Bowler Yash Dayal was handed the unenviable task. Rinku hit him for five consecutive sixes — the first four off the last four balls of the over, then a final one to seal victory. It is one of the most replayed moments in IPL history.
That innings unlocked something. The rest of IPL 2023 saw Rinku finish as KKR’s top scorer with 474 runs at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.52. He was everywhere in the final overs, calm under pressure, decisive when the arithmetic was brutal. An India call-up followed before the year was out.
International Career: Jersey No. 35 on the Blue Shirt
Rinku Singh made his T20I debut for India against Ireland on August 18, 2023, and his ODI debut against South Africa on December 19, 2023. His international career has progressed steadily from there — he has not yet become a guaranteed first-choice pick, but his finishing ability in T20Is has made him a valued squad member.
One of his most notable international moments came in a T20I partnership with a teammate that produced a 190-run unbeaten stand against Afghanistan in Bengaluru — the highest partnership for an Indian side in T20I history at the time. He continued to represent India through early 2026, with his last T20I appearance recorded against South Africa on February 22, 2026.
Ahead of IPL 2026, KKR appointed him vice-captain of the franchise — recognition of his growing stature within the team and the respect his teammates hold for him.
Personal Life: Grief, Love, and Staying Grounded
In June 2025, Rinku Singh got engaged to Priya Saroj, a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party representing a constituency in Uttar Pradesh. The engagement drew considerable attention, bridging cricket and politics in a way that generated widespread coverage across both worlds.
Early 2026 brought personal grief. His father, Khanchand Singh — the man who had delivered gas cylinders so his son could chase a dream — passed away on February 27, 2026, after battling stage-four liver cancer. He had been on ventilator support at a hospital in Greater Noida before his death. Rinku was with the Indian squad at the time. The loss was widely reported, and the outpouring of support from fans and fellow cricketers reflected how much affection surrounds his story.
Despite the wealth and fame that have come quickly, those close to him describe him as unchanged. He has spoken about wanting to use cricket’s rewards to give his family the stability they never had. The UP government named him a Basic Education Officer under the sports quota in June 2025 — a recognition that meant something to him beyond the title itself.
Net Worth and Earnings
As of 2026, Rinku Singh’s estimated net worth sits between ₹20 crore and ₹28 crore — a figure that has grown dramatically in a short span. His primary earnings come from KKR’s ₹13 crore-per-season IPL contract (retained at that price ahead of the 2025 mega-auction), his BCCI Grade C central contract, international match fees, and a growing portfolio of brand endorsements.
Brands have been drawn to him precisely because his story is genuine. He has been described as a “common man’s hero” — grounded, relatable, and visibly grateful for the journey. He has invested in a fitness brand (BeastLife, reportedly ₹1.9 crore), owns property in Aligarh, and has assembled a vehicle collection that includes a Ford Endeavour, Mahindra Scorpio-N, Toyota Innova, and a Royal Enfield Bullet — the choices of someone who grew up knowing exactly what not having things felt like.
Wrapping Up
Rinku Singh’s cricket journey is the kind that makes people sit forward. The years of waiting, the near-descent into labor work, the father who kept believing, the single over that turned everything — it is a story that earns the word “inspiring” without needing to try very hard.
He is 28 years old, has been India’s vice-captain for KKR, has played for the national side, and carries the kind of pressure that would paralyze most players with a visible lightness. The grief of losing his father so recently adds weight to what is still a very young career.
What comes next — whether a more permanent place in India’s senior setup, an expanded role in red-ball cricket, or further IPL chapters — feels like it belongs to someone who has already demonstrated that he can handle whatever arrives.
People Also Ask
Who is Rinku Singh?
Rinku Singh is an Indian cricketer born on October 12, 1997, in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. He is a left-handed middle-order finisher who plays domestic cricket for Uttar Pradesh and represents Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. He became nationally famous after hitting five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023 and has represented India in T20Is and ODIs since August 2023.
What is Rinku Singh’s biggest cricket moment?
His most famous moment came on April 6, 2023, when he hit five consecutive sixes off bowler Yash Dayal in the final over of an IPL match, chasing 28 runs off 5 balls to give KKR an improbable victory against Gujarat Titans. It is widely considered one of the greatest finishing performances in IPL history.
What is Rinku Singh’s IPL salary and net worth?
Rinku Singh earns ₹13 crore per season with KKR, a price locked in when they retained him ahead of the 2025 mega-auction. His estimated net worth as of 2026 is between ₹20 crore and ₹28 crore, earned through IPL contracts, BCCI fees, international match payments, and brand endorsements.
Who is Rinku Singh engaged to?
Rinku Singh got engaged to Priya Saroj in June 2025. She is a Member of Parliament from the Samajwadi Party representing a constituency in Uttar Pradesh.
What happened to Rinku Singh’s father?
Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand Singh, who had worked as an LPG cylinder delivery man throughout Rinku’s childhood and early cricket years, passed away on February 27, 2026, after battling stage-four liver cancer. Rinku was with the Indian cricket team at the time.
