Kolkata::The Kolkata Knight Riders have entrusted Rinku Singh with additional responsibility ahead of the IPL 2026 season, appointing him as vice-captain to support skipper Ajinkya Rahane.
The announcement was made by franchise CEO and managing director Venky Mysore during the “Knights Unplugged” event at a city hotel on Tuesday. The move reflects Rinku’s rising stature within the team and recognition of his growing leadership qualities.
Head coach Abhishek Nayar highlighted Rinku’s evolution both on and off the field. “Rinku has evolved as a player and as a leader. He’s someone the players look up to and is very popular in the dressing room. After his success with India, we felt this was the right time to include him in the leadership group,” Nayar said.
Rinku has already shown signs of leadership during the team’s training sessions, frequently engaging in tactical discussions with Rahane. The appointment formalizes his role in guiding the squad as the three-time champions aim for another strong campaign.
The responsibility is not entirely new for the left-hander. He captained the Meerut Mavericks in last year’s UP T20 League, producing standout performances with an unbeaten 108 against the Gaur Gorakhpur Lions and 78 not out versus the Kashi Rudras.
While his most recent T20 World Cup outing yielded modest returns, Rinku will be keen to deliver impactful contributions with the bat this season — both to strengthen KKR’s title bid and to cement his place in India’s T20 setup.
Russell’s jersey retired
Meanwhile, the franchise also confirmed that jersey No. 12, worn by legendary all-rounder Andre Russell, will be retired. Russell remains with the squad this season in a new role as power coach.
“I have no regrets,” Russell said, reflecting on his IPL journey. “Every time I played for KKR, I treated it like my last game. Winning the IPL was a special feeling, and I had tears of joy in 2024.” He also promised fans a live performance if the Knight Riders secure their fourth IPL title.
Source: The Telegraph
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