Rinku Singh delivered a resounding answer to his critics with a breathtaking 108 not out off just 48 balls in the UP T20 League, proving that his Asia Cup selection was well-deserved. The explosive innings, featuring seven fours and eight towering sixes at a strike rate of 225, came at the perfect time for the left-handed batter who has faced questions about his recent form. Playing for Meerut Mavericks against Dhruv Jurel‘s Gorakhpur Lions at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium on August 21, Rinku transformed what seemed like a certain defeat into a commanding six-wicket victory.
Rinku Singh announces Asia Cup selection with explosive 108 (48) in UP T20 League
The knock was especially significant as it came when the Mavericks were in dire straits at 38/4 while chasing 168, staring at an embarrassing collapse. But Rinku stood tall and single-handedly turned the tide, forming an unbeaten 130-run partnership with Sahab Yuvraj Singh (22 not out) to seal victory with seven balls to spare. His assault on the Gorakhpur bowlers was particularly brutal in the death overs, where he plundered 18 runs off Vasu Vats and 22 off Abdul Rehman in successive overs before hammering three consecutive sixes off Vats in the 19th over to reach his century.
Here’s the video:
𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙆𝙐 𝙎𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙀𝙆𝘼𝙉𝘼 𝙊𝙉 𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙀, 𝙐𝙋 𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙀 𝘽𝙍𝙄𝙂𝘼𝘿𝙀 𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙀𝘿 𝙄𝙉
Watch live on @SonyLIV and @SonySportsNetwk. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #MMvsGGL [ Rinku Singh ] pic.twitter.com/yvxZbpKNcI
— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 21, 2025
The timing of this magnificent century couldn’t have been better for Rinku, who faced considerable scrutiny following his Asia Cup 2025 selection. Despite struggling in the recent IPL season with just 206 runs from 11 innings and an underwhelming international record of late, the selectors showed faith in the 27-year-old’s abilities. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had explained that Rinku was included as an “extra batter” option, acknowledging the tough competition for spots in the 15-member squad.
His recent form had been a genuine concern, with just one fifty-plus score in his last 11 international innings and a disappointing IPL 2025 campaign where he averaged merely 18.66. The pressure was mounting, especially after he managed only 23 runs in a UP T20 League match just two days after his Asia Cup selection. However, this century performance has dramatically shifted the narrative, with even KKR’s official social media celebrating their star player’s return to form.
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Golden gateway to World Cup dreams and continental dominance
This explosive knock represents more than just a confidence booster – it’s Rinku’s golden ticket to cement his place in India’s T20 setup ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. With veterans like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja having retired from T20 internationals, there’s a genuine opening in India’s middle order that Rinku can claim. The Asia Cup, starting September 9 in the UAE, will serve as a crucial audition for the World Cup squad.
Rinku’s international statistics tell a tale of two contrasting phases – his first 19 T20I innings yielded 479 runs at an average of 59.87 and a strike rate of 175.45, establishing him as India’s premier finisher. However, his recent struggles, including just 67 runs in seven games at 13.40 average since October 2024, had raised doubts about his place. This century innings, reminiscent of his early international heroics, suggests he’s ready to reclaim his status as India’s go-to middle-order destroyer in the batting-friendly conditions of the UAE.
The knock also validates the selectors’ decision to persist with Rinku despite his recent struggles, showing that class is indeed permanent. With the Asia Cup serving as a direct pathway to T20 World Cup selection and Rinku now finding his rhythm at the perfect time, this century could well be the turning point that transforms him from a selection gamble into an indispensable match-winner for India’s continental and global campaigns.
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