IPL 2021: Gurkeerat Singh Mann to replace Rinku Singh in Kolkata Knight Riders side

Kolkata Knight Riders have made one change to their side before IPL 2021. Rinku Singh has been ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. In his place, Kolkata Knight Riders have roped in Gurkeerat Singh Mann. According to an official press release by the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders acquired Gurkeerat at his base price of Rs 50 lakhs. Before IPL 2021, Gurkeerat was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Before the auction, he was let go by the franchise. 

Rinku Singh had played 11 games in the IPL with a highest score of 30. Gurkeerat, on the other hand, has played 41 matches in his nine-year IPL career so far. Gurkeerat has played for Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.

Who is Rinku Singh?

Rinku Singh is an aggressive batsman hailing from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh. His cricketing journey has been laced with plenty of struggles. Rinku’s father is an LPG delivery man while his brother is an auto-rickshaw driver. Both played an important role in Rinku getting a chance to show his prowess for Uttar Pradesh.

His first big impression came when he smashed a 31-ball 95 in a Mumbai Indians training camp. However, in the 2018 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Rinku blasted a 44-ball 91 to show that he could truly take the attack to the bowlers. In that same year, Rinku was bought for Rs 80 lakhs by Kolkata Knight Riders.

In 2019, Rinku smashed 150 for Uttar Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy encounter against Saurashtra. The unfortunate injury in IPL 2021 might pile on the frustrations for the 23-year-old. 

Kolkata Knight Riders are currently based in Chennai. Their first match will be on  April 11 against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chepauk. Kolkata Knight Riders are the two-time IPL champions, having won the title in 2012 and 2014. In IPL 2020, they missed out on a chance to reach the playoffs.