Zimbabwean great and Lucknow Super Giants coach Andy Flower has lavished praise on Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Rinku Singh, who played yet another sensational knock albeit in a losing cause on Saturday. The southpaw scored an unbelievable 67* in 33 deliveries to get his side agonisingly close to a win against the Super Giants.
With 52 runs needed off the last 18 balls and no recognised batsman remaining, Rinku managed to score 43 of those runs in just 13 balls thanks to some beautiful ball striking, but ended up just one run short of the target. Had he managed to pull off victory for his side, they would not have gone through, but would have put the Super Giants’ qualification in serious jeopardy.
Flower praised Singh’s mentality, calling it the difference between a good player and a ‘complete package’. The LSG head coach mentioned that the self confidence that Singh possesses will take him places, and said that he has what it takes to do exceedingly well at the international stage.
“He looks like a really talented guy, but he also looks like he is hungry for success and humble at the same time. He is confident in what he can do. He’s got a really good package.
There’s so much batting talent in this country. But, he’s showing that he can do it when he’s under pressure and that’s a key aspect to playing international cricket. He’s got a future.”
Flower said.
Rinku has had five scores in excess of 50 this season, all coming in chases. The left-hander has an average of 60 and strikes in excess of 170 in run-chases, a record that most batsmen would envy.
He shot to fame after taking Yash Dayal for five consecutive sixes in the last over to pull off a stunning victory, and has only gone from strength to strength since then. This season has put him on the map for the Indian side, and he will be hoping to build on this solid foundation.
