How Rinku Singh Became the IPL’s Best Finisher

In a tournament dominated by power hitters and high-profile names, Rinku Singh has carved out a space that few expected—and none can now deny. The role of a finisher in the Indian Premier League isn’t just about hitting boundaries. It’s about timing, temperament, and the ability to absorb chaos. And in the last two seasons, no player has done that with more consistency, composure, and sheer drama than Rinku.

What makes his story even more remarkable is the backdrop: an uncapped player from Aligarh, once a net bowler with barely any spotlight, now transforming into a game-closer trusted in high-pressure situations. It’s not just that Rinku wins games—it’s the way he wins them. Back-to-back sixes, final-over ice, and calm under collapse have become signatures of his brand.

This article explores the four dimensions of Rinku Singh’s rise: from his underdog beginnings and technical skillset to his mental evolution and the strategic role he now owns in T20 cricket’s most ruthless arena. Here’s how Rinku Singh became the IPL’s best finisher—over time, under pressure, and on his own terms.

1. The Making of an Underdog: From Aligarh to the IPL Spotlight

Rinku Singh’s journey wasn’t one designed for fairy tales. Born in a modest household in Uttar Pradesh, his early cricketing years were less about dreams and more about survival. His father delivered LPG cylinders. His home didn’t have space for luxuries like nets or kits. And yet, what emerged from those limitations was a hunger—not just to succeed, but to compete beyond expectation.

Rinku’s entry into competitive cricket came through age-group levels in UP, where he was often considered technically sound but unspectacular. What set him apart even then was his grit—an ability to bat deep, adjust his tempo, and outlast flashier contemporaries. But it wasn’t until he started finishing games at the domestic level for UP and Central Zone that scouts began taking notice.

Kolkata Knight Riders picked him up in 2018, but he warmed the bench and then struggled to break through the middle-order hierarchy that included Andre Russell, Nitish Rana, and Dinesh Karthik. His performances were limited. His role unclear.

The breakthrough came in IPL 2022—not because he was promoted, but because injuries forced Kolkata to reconfigure their death overs strategy. Rinku was pushed into the firing line. Few expected much.

And then came the game against Gujarat Titans. Needing 28 off 5 balls, Rinku pulled off the unthinkable: five consecutive sixes to seal the win. It wasn’t just the shot-making—it was the unflinching calm, the clear head, and the fearlessness of someone who had nothing to lose and everything to prove.

From that night onward, Rinku stopped being a squad player. He became a match-closer. A Plan A, not just a backup. More importantly, he earned the right to be in the conversation with the biggest names in death overs batting.

2. Finishing Technique: Shot Selection, Tempo Control, and Death Overs Craft

Rinku Singh isn’t your textbook finisher in the mould of MS Dhoni or Andre Russell. He doesn’t have the towering physique, nor does he rely solely on brute force. What makes him lethal at the death is his controlled aggression—his ability to read bowlers, manipulate field settings, and choose the right shot at the right moment.

At first glance, Rinku’s strokeplay looks uncomplicated. But under pressure, simplicity is a strength. He prefers conventional cricket shots: the flat-batted slog over midwicket, the pick-up flick behind square, and a razor-sharp cut behind point. Unlike most lower-order hitters, he rarely loses shape. His wrists stay firm, his base remains steady, and he rarely overcommits to a shot.

One of his biggest weapons is calm tempo management. He doesn’t rush into a high strike rate. Instead, he often scores at run-a-ball early, assessing the pitch and opposition plans. Then, from the 17th over onwards, he lifts the tempo with near-mechanical precision. In IPL 2023, his strike rate in overs 17–20 was over 215, making him the most efficient Indian batter in that phase.

What’s just as vital is his game awareness. Rinku often faces bowlers who thrive at the death—Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan. He waits for the mistake. If the yorker misses its mark by an inch, he punishes it. If the bowler overcorrects with a slower bouncer, he picks the gap behind square.

Even elite finishers lose shape chasing glory. Rinku doesn’t. He sticks to a process. A low full toss isn’t a gift unless it aligns with his zone. A slower one outside off might get guided for two rather than slashed for six. And that’s what makes him terrifying: he plays percentage cricket like a veteran, but finishes like a disruptor.

3. The Mental Game: Ice in the Veins, Chaos in the Background

Many players in the IPL have the shots. Far fewer have the temperament. And it’s here that Rinku Singh separates himself from the crowd.

The art of finishing isn’t just in scoring 15 off 5—it’s in doing it when the top order has failed, the required run rate is above 14, and a stadium of 40,000 is chanting against you. Rinku has faced these scenarios not once, but repeatedly, and emerged not only unscathed, but often triumphant.

What’s striking is how little he seems to be affected by context. His body language rarely changes. He walks in with quiet intent, takes guard with minimal fuss, and gets on with it. He doesn’t overcelebrate big shots. He doesn’t get flustered by dot balls. And most tellingly, he doesn’t panic when others around him do.

This trait, according to KKR insiders, is no accident. Rinku spends significant time visualising match scenarios. His training involves recreating pressure overs with targets like “15 off 4” or “20 off the last over.” His batting coach, Abhishek Nayar, has even spoken about how Rinku practises finishing in silence—no music, no noise—to train for mental isolation amidst real chaos.

And then there’s belief. Not in a loud, brash way—but in a gritty, self-assured manner that comes from years of being counted out. He doesn’t fear losing. And that freedom has made him dangerous.

When you combine ice-cold execution with unshakable focus, you get a player who doesn’t just hit the winning runs—he owns the moment.

4. Fitting Into the System: Rinku’s Role in KKR’s T20 Engine

The Kolkata Knight Riders didn’t just stumble upon Rinku Singh—they were forced to discover him. When their batting engine stuttered in 2022 and 2023, it was Rinku who held together the chaos, not from the top, but from the tail-end of the innings. And this is what defines his contribution: he isn't just a finisher—he's a stabiliser and accelerator rolled into one.

KKR’s batting line-up has often lacked a clear middle-order identity. With Andre Russell becoming more injury-prone and inconsistent, Rinku became the glue. But unlike most anchors, he doesn’t bat for averages. He bats for situations. If KKR are 120/5 in 15 overs, Rinku isn’t nudging singles to reach 30*. He’s setting up 45 off 18—and getting there more often than not.

What makes him such a valuable asset is his adaptability. He rotates strike effortlessly when needed, but also doesn’t shy away from taking on the best bowler in the 19th over. Teams like KKR, who don’t always have depth in all departments, benefit immensely from someone who can absorb pressure and still chase a par-plus score.

He’s also built strong partnerships with all kinds of batters—whether it’s tailenders like Umesh Yadav or stroke-players like Nitish Rana. The common thread? He adjusts, without ego. If he needs to shield a bowler, he will. If he needs to farm strike, he does. He’s a cricketer who understands the moment and bends his game to serve the team.

In doing so, Rinku has become more than a role-player. He’s a systemic keystone—the one who lets KKR dare more in their first 15 overs, because they know they’ve got ice waiting at the back end.

5. Rethinking the Indian Finisher: A Blueprint Beyond Power-Hitting

For years, India’s search for a finisher post-Dhoni has focused on raw power—big hitters like Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube, or even Deepak Hooda have been tried. But none have shown Rinku’s blend of situational awareness, calculated aggression, and repeatability under pressure.

His rise has quietly redefined what selectors might now look for in a finisher—not just six-hitting ability, but decision-making. The ability to go from 5(8) to 40(21). The judgement to target bowlers, not balls. The presence to carry an innings when others fall away.

In many ways, Rinku is a product of domestic grind and high-stakes IPL exposure, but his skillset is not format-limited. In Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare matches, he’s shown he can finish games across formats, adapting tempo as required. That makes him more than a T20 specialist—it makes him a multi-phase finisher, a rare breed.

For India’s white-ball setup, especially leading into ICC tournaments where tight chases are the norm, Rinku represents maturity under pressure. Not manufactured confidence. Earned control.

He’s not a backup anymore. He’s a legitimate blueprint.

6. Handling Fame: Rinku’s Rise Without the Noise

With big finishes come big headlines. Rinku Singh has quickly become a media magnet—highlight reels, viral memes, match-winning interviews. And yet, the man behind the moments remains strikingly grounded.

Unlike many who rise in the IPL ecosystem and drift toward brand-first personas, Rinku has kept a low profile. No outrageous social media content, no endorsement flurries. His focus remains cricket—quiet, disciplined, and fiercely internal.

KKR insiders and former teammates consistently describe him with the same words: humble, hungry, and obsessed with improvement. In the 2023 off-season, he reportedly trained with both spin specialists and death bowlers to expand his range—not because anyone told him to, but because he knew his next leap would depend on it.

This quiet climb is part of what makes him so easy to root for. Rinku’s not trying to be the face of anything. He’s trying to finish overs, finish matches, and quietly finish perceptions that finishing is only for those who shout the loudest.

His maturity also shows in his interviews—where he often deflects praise to his teammates or talks about "sticking to the process.” He might not have the media flair of bigger names, but what he has is credibility—match-earned, not manufactured.

7. What’s Next: From IPL Star to National Team Pillar?

The IPL spotlight is a powerful launchpad, but sustainability at the international level requires a different gear. And now, Rinku Singh stands at the crossroads of domestic dominance and national relevance.

He has already debuted for India in T20Is, and early signs are encouraging. The composure, shot selection, and match awareness haven’t dimmed under international lights. If anything, his calm seems even more valuable in the high-pressure cauldron of India’s middle order.

What works in his favour is a glaring need: India’s recent white-ball losses have often hinged on middle-order collapses or death-over paralysis. Rinku offers a remedy to both. He doesn’t get sucked into panic. He doesn't need 10 balls to get going. And unlike many high-strike rate batters, he doesn’t burn out after one season.

His next step will likely be consistency across series, not just matches. But given his IPL record, his temperament, and his steady rise in India’s T20 depth chart, there’s every reason to believe Rinku could be a permanent part of India’s limited-overs backbone—not just a story of IPL success, but a pillar of national trust.

Conclusion: How Rinku Singh Became the IPL’s Best Finisher

Rinku Singh didn’t become the IPL’s best finisher overnight. He wasn’t a prodigy fast-tracked through the system, nor a flamboyant six-machine hyped before he’d done the work. He earned his place by showing up when the game was slipping, and delivering when others had no answers.

He finishes differently—not just in how he bats, but in how he thinks. He doesn’t swing blindly. He strategises. He doesn’t chase applause. He absorbs pressure. And that rare combination—technical control, emotional poise, and tactical awareness—has made him the most dependable name in the league when the equation looks impossible.

In a cricketing era full of power, Rinku brings precision. In a game obsessed with stars, he brings substance. And in moments where matches are decided by a single over, he brings a calm that few others can replicate.

The next time the target looks too big, the situation too grim, or the odds too steep—don’t bet against Rinku Singh. Because history suggests he’s just getting started.