Rinku Singh’s determined 160 helped Uttar Pradesh recover from a precarious position against Andhra in the opening round of the 2025–26 Ranji Trophy at Green Park, Kanpur. Coming in at number five, Rinku displayed patience and resilience as he guided UP out of early trouble, signalling his readiness for the upcoming India vs Australia T20I series.
Uttar Pradesh faced a daunting situation after Andhra posted 470 in their first innings. The hosts were reduced to 178 for five, losing four wickets for just 34 runs, before Rinku Singh anchored the innings with his well-crafted hundred.
Rinku’s innings was marked by grit and responsibility rather than flair. Facing over 260 deliveries, he weathered challenges from Andhra’s bowlers, ensuring Uttar Pradesh remained in contention. This disciplined knock underlined his maturity and growth as a batter, particularly after his successful stints in the IPL and T20I cricket.
Partnering with Vipraj Nigam, who contributed 42 runs, Rinku was instrumental in a crucial 122-run stand for the seventh wicket. This partnership allowed Uttar Pradesh to surpass 450, stabilising the team after early setbacks and keeping their hopes alive in the contest.
Rinku’s century brought him past the milestone of 3,400 runs in first-class cricket, with an average exceeding 55. He now has eight hundreds and 22 fifties in the format. Despite being primarily recognised for his T20 exploits, Rinku has proven his consistency across formats, also averaging close to 50 in List-A cricket.
The timing of the innings is significant, with India set to play a five-match T20I series against Australia starting October 29. Rinku’s composure in domestic cricket offers selectors reassurance ahead of the series, especially with Hardik Pandya unavailable due to injury and India needing a finisher.
Rinku’s knock helped UP to take the crucial first innings lead against Andhra as the match ended in a draw.
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