INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: India's new 'finisher,' Rinku Singh, stole the limelight on Thursday with a match-winning knock of 22 not out off 14 balls,
guiding the hosts to their highest-ever T20I run chase of 209 against Australia in Visakhapatnam
The first T20I of the five-match series witnessed a tense run chase, culminating in a thrilling victory for India.Post-match, former India
wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik took to social media platform X to share an endearing story about the unique bond between Rinku Singh
and his mentor, Abhishek Nayar.The relationship traces back to 2018 during their shared stint with theKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the
Indian Premier League (IPL).Karthik's heartfelt post included a touching picture of the duo, and he expressed, "This is one of the most
fulfilling and heartwarming pictures going around
The relationship between ABHISHEK NAYAR and RINKU SINGH."Revealing the evolution of this special bond, Karthik shared insights into Nayar's
unwavering belief in Rinku's talent and his pivotal role during the left-hander's injury phase
"Nayar always saw the potential in Rinku, he kept telling me, it was only a matter of time before he did something really special," Karthik
noted.He continued, "Coming from a small town in Aligarh, all he needed was to think big, and I think that shift in mindset was what Nayar
worked with Rinku majorly about, apart from fine-tuning his death-hitting skills."Even during Rinku's ACL injury, Nayar's conviction in the
young talent prompted KKR to include him in the team
Rinku stayed with Nayar post-IPL for an extended period, undergoing rehabilitation and honing his batting skills
The result was a stellar domestic season and the emergence of Rinku as a "MATCH-WINNING FINISHER."Reflecting on the heartening photo,
Karthik praised Nayar's growth as a coach, stating, "Must be a surreal feeling seeing one of your students do well at a world stage and also
be lucky enough to watch it live as a broadcaster and call the moment."In the thrilling match against Australia, India's skipper Suryakumar
Yadav played a crucial role with a blistering 42-ball 80, and Rinku's unbeaten cameo ensured the hosts chased down the target with two
wickets and one ball to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series
The dramatic last over, marked by Rinku's resilience and a no-ball, added a memorable chapter to India's T20I history.PM Modi consoles team
India in dressing room after World Cup final loss against Australia
