IPL 2023: 'We have a new finisher as Rinku Singh,' says KKR's match-winner Andre Russell

KKR's middle-order batsman Rinku Singh has earned respect from crowd at Eden Gardens after finishing yet another game.

IPL 2023 has produced another nail-biter and last bowl finish at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Rinku Singh is now turning into a new superstar for Kolkata. Rinku once again came out as a saviour for KKR and won the game by hitting a last-ball four against Arshdeep Singh. Rinku Singh (21) along with Andre Russell (42) guided KKR’s chase after captain Nitish Rana’s half-century. Rana with his knock kept KKR’s 180 runs chase revolving around him. Punjab Kings with a decent batting performance and captain Shikhar Dhawan’s 57 put up a challenging 179 on the board. Varun Chakravarthy bowled a brilliant spell of 3 for 26 in 4 overs. He kept breaking Punjab’s partnerships.

Punjab lack an off-spiner, reckons Dhawan

Punjab Kings are having a few poor games in bowling. Despite some good work from leg spinner Rahul Chahar and pacer Nathan Ellis, Punjab failed to defend 180. Captain Shikhar Dhawan was disappointed and said, “I feel that we don’t have a good off-spinner when left-handers come in, From one end we have a leg spinner, and from the other we have a left-arm-spinners so that’s where I feel we are leaking run”. Punjab’s Sam Curran and Arshdeep Singh are having tough time and they have bowled with almost 10 or more runs per over economy rate in the last few games.

'Rana's faith on Russell and Rinku paid off

All-rounder Andre Russell finally had a Russell-like inning in the IPL 2023. Whenever he looks set, no boundary looks big for him. Russell smashed 3 fours and 3 sixes in his 23-ball innings. Talking about Russell’s onslaught captain Nitish Rana said, “We were all waiting for Russell’s that one inning, he was one inning away, I kept telling him that believe in yourself, you will 100% win a game for us”. Rinku Singh has become a star son of Kolkata. Rinku has been finishing the game for KKR consistently in the season, what’s more heartening to see is Eden Gardens echoing Rinku… Rinku… chants. Captain Nitish said, “I just keep telling him to believe in himself. What he has achieved many people may not. The whole crowd was chanting ‘Rinku’, that is what he has earned this year”. Rinku smashed 21 runs in 10 balls. 

Russell announced Rinku's arrival

Andre Russell won the player of the match for his blistering match-winning knock against Punjab Kings. Russell scored 42 runs in 23 balls. He said that he was confident about the chase. Russell added, “Needing 30 of the final two, was very getable. I flicked one into the stands without really swinging at it. And that six over the point was icing on the cake. I wanted to finish the game but we have a new finisher in Rinku”. Russell got run out while attempting a bye run in the second last ball of the final over. Talking about that he said, “Rinku told me what if the ball beats you, should we go for the run? I said for sure. I have faith in him to finish it in the last ball. I get goosebumps to see him doing what he is doing”.