Rinku Singh Named Uttar Pradesh Captain for Vijay Hazare Trophy
Rinku Singh to Lead Uttar Pradesh in Vijay Hazare Trophy
Rinku Singh has been appointed captain of the Uttar Pradesh team for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over domestic competition, set to begin on December 21. This marks the first time Rinku will lead a state team at the senior level, taking over from veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who captained the side during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this month.
Rinku’s Rise as a Leader
Rinku’s leadership journey began earlier this year when he captained Meerut Mavericks to the UPT20 League title. He excelled as a finisher, scoring 210 runs in nine innings at a remarkable strike rate of 161.54. Reflecting on his captaincy experience, Rinku said:
“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.”
Rinku’s Focus on a Bigger Role
Taking on a more significant role as Uttar Pradesh’s captain, Rinku is working on becoming a complete player. He has even started exploring offspin bowling.
“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.”
A Leader in IPL and Domestic Cricket
Rinku’s leadership role comes amid speculation about him potentially captaining Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025. A long-time member of the KKR setup since 2018, Rinku was retained alongside key players such as Sunil Narine and Andre Russell ahead of the mega auction. However, Rinku remains focused on his immediate responsibilities:
“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.”
Impressive List A Record
Rinku’s consistent performances in List A cricket make him a key player to watch in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He has amassed 1899 runs in 52 innings at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 94.8, with one century and 17 half-centuries.
Not an India Audition
Despite his stellar domestic and IPL record, Rinku downplays using the Vijay Hazare Trophy as a platform for national selection:
“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. I believe in God. If something is destined for me, it will happen, but I also need to work hard on my job.”
Tournament Schedule
Uttar Pradesh will start their campaign on December 21 against Jammu and Kashmir. Their group-stage matches include fixtures against Mizoram (December 23), Tamil Nadu (December 26), Chhattisgarh (December 28), Chandigarh (December 31), and Vidarbha (January 3).
