ଓଡ଼ିଆ | ENGLISH
ଓଡ଼ିଆ | ENGLISH
T20
T20

Past Glory Fades for Rinku Singh While Cricket Greats Demand Batting Order Reset

Kolkata Knight Riders face a tactical dilemma as Kris Srikkanth labels Rinku Singh a strike-rotator rather than a powerhouse finisher. This critique follows a string of low scores that have left the franchise's middle order exposed.
Published By : Satya Mohapatra | April 15, 2026 1:29 PM
Past Glory Fades for Rinku Singh While Cricket Greats Demand Batting Order Reset

Rinku Singh faces heavy fire for disappearing during KKR chases

Kolkata Knight Riders' middle-order stability is crumbling as Rinku Singh fails to replicate the late-inning heroics that once defined his career. Former India opener and 1983 World Cup winner Kris Srikkanth has launched a blistering critique of the left-hander, suggesting that the "finisher" label might be misplaced. Srikkanth argues that relying on a single historic performance from seasons ago is no longer a viable strategy for a team struggling at the bottom of the table.

Current statistics paint a grim picture for the KKR star, with recent scores of 33, 35, 4, and 6 failing to provide the explosive impact required in high-stakes chases. Srikkanth noted on his YouTube channel that while Singh excels at strike rotation, he lacks the raw power to clear ropes when the required rate climbs above 12 runs per over. The veteran commentator insists that Singh should be demoted to number seven, shielding him from the responsibility of building an innings at number five.

Historically, KKR has relied on local Indian talent to bridge the gap between their expensive international stars and the domestic circuit. However, apart from young Angkrish Raghuvanshi, the squad appears devoid of the aggressive intent necessary for modern T20 cricket. The franchise is currently grappling with a lack of identity, moving away from the "brave cricket" philosophy that led them to multiple titles in the past.

Tactical Shift Needed

Srikkanth’s assessment highlights a broader crisis within the camp. While fans still chant for the five-sixes hero, the technical flaws in his game against high-velocity pace and disciplined spin are becoming more apparent. If KKR intends to revive their playoff hopes, they must decide whether to persist with Singh in a primary role or transition toward fresh faces like Tim Seifert to inject much-needed urgency into the batting lineup.

​​​​​​​With Infor from Public Domain and Agency feed