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Rinku Singh is set to captain Uttar Pradesh for the first time at the senior level. The left-handed batter has been appointed UP’s skipper for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, starting on December 21. Rinku led Meerut Mavericks to the UPT20 League title earlier this year.
"It was a big opportunity for me to lead Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League, and I am happy that I could deliver. I really enjoyed captaincy as it allowed me to learn many things,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Rinku as saying.
The 27-year-old was also Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) first retention ahead of the Indian Premier League 2025 auction. The defending champions are currently without a captain but Rinku isn’t thinking too much about that. His focus is completely on the Vijay Hazare Trophy and his game, with him also working on his bowling.
"I am not thinking too much about the captaincy of KKR in the new IPL season. I am focused on my plans for Uttar Pradesh as I want my team to regain the trophy we had won for the first time in 2015-16,” said Rinku, who has three wickets in international cricket in two games.
"I did try my hand at bowling [offspin] too at the UPT20 league. Present-day cricket demands a full package - a cricketer who can bat, bowl and field. Now, I am focusing on my bowling too. As captain of Uttar Pradesh, I have got a bigger role to play, and I'm ready for this."
Rinku has impressive numbers in List A cricket, having slammed 1,899 runs in 52 innings at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 94.80. So, is he looking at the Vijay Hazare Trophy as an audition for next year’s Champions Trophy?
"I believe in god. I didn't even think of being part of Team India when I struck five consecutive sixes in the IPL last year. That turned out to be the biggest game-changer in my life. Even now, I feel that if god has decided something for me, I will get that surely, but at the same time, I also need to work hard on my job.”
UP will start their campaign against Jammu and Kashmir on December 21 in Vizianagaram.
