In an electrifying display at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium on January 21, Team India's middle-order batsman, Rinku Singh, thrilled the crowd in Nagpur during the first T20I of the five-match series against New Zealand. Partnering with Abhishek Sharma, Rinku's performance was a highlight of the match.

After New Zealand's captain, Mitchell Santner, opted to bowl first, Team India set a formidable target, scoring 238 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma was the star of the innings, smashing 84 runs off just 35 deliveries, which included 5 fours and 8 sixes, reaching his fifty in a mere 22 balls. Rinku Singh contributed significantly with a quickfire unbeaten 44 runs from 20 balls.

Alongside Rinku and Abhishek, skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32) and Hardik Pandya (25) also played crucial roles in the middle order, helping India establish a challenging total that put pressure on the New Zealand side.

Following a strong start, India faced a brief setback as they lost a couple of wickets in quick succession, leaving them at 185/6 in 15.4 overs. Rinku Singh entered the fray at a critical moment, stabilizing the innings after Shivam Dube's dismissal.

As the last recognized batsman, Rinku took it upon himself to accelerate the scoring in the death overs. He hit two fours and a six in just five balls, propelling India past the 200-run mark. Notably, he unleashed a barrage against Daryl Mitchell, scoring 21 runs in one over, which included two sixes and two fours, ultimately leading India to a massive total.

Rinku Singh's explosive performance drew widespread acclaim from fans, who praised his finishing abilities. Many took to social media to express their admiration, questioning his previous exclusion from the T20I squad and highlighting his knack for performing under pressure.

"Hats off, Rinku Singh! From pressure situations to fearless finishing, you’ve shown what grit, humility, and pure hard work look like."

Fans noted his impressive statistics, including a remarkable strike rate of 220.20 during the innings, underscoring his importance in the team's lineup.

After being left out of the T20I series against Australia and South Africa following the Asia Cup 2025, Rinku Singh made a strong comeback for the series against New Zealand. He has been included in India's 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup starting February 7.

In his T20I career, Rinku has amassed 594 runs, averaging 45.69 with three fifties in 36 matches.