'He is a player who KKR will invest in' - Brendon McCullum after Rinku Singh's valiant knock against LSG

Kolkata Knight Riders were knocked out of the IPL 2022 after a heartbreaking two-run loss to the Lucknow Super Giants at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on May 19. But the head coach Brendon McCullum has confidently said that KKR will invest in the emerging middle-order talent Rinku Singh who has been exceptional this season.

Rinku nearly helped the two-time champions get over the line against LSG with a blistering knock of 40 runs from 15 deliveries. He was dismissed on the penultimate delivery of the contest courtesy of a one-handed stunner from Evin Lewis which eventually proved to be the turning point of the game.

Not too many people are able to bat in the middle-order: Brendon McCullum

“Absolutely he (Rinku) sure has (been the find of the season). Rinku is a player who KKR will invest in, no doubt, over the next few years and we will see him really progress and may even challenge for higher honours in time,” said McCullum at the post-match press conference.

“Not too many people are able to bat in middle-order and sort of be able to try (and) pull games out of the fire like he (Rinku) has almost done for us on a couple of occasions this year. Just a great guy and (I) am really pleased for him”, he added. The former New Zealand skipper who has been appointed as the England Test coach will now be stepping down as the KKR coach and it remains to be seen who will be succeeding him. After Rinku’s dismissal, Umesh Yadav walked out to bat with three runs needed off the final delivery.

However, he was castled while attempting a big shot by a brilliant yorker from Marcus Stoinis as the Lucknow camp erupted in joy while there was stunned silence and heartbreak in the Kolkata camp. Even Rinku Singh was seen crying bitterly after the loss. By the virtue of this win, the KL Rahul-led side became the second team after the Gujarat Titans to qualify for the playoffs.