‘Rinku’s is such an incredible story’

Outgoing head coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, Brendon McCullum, had encouraging words for KKR's unheralded middle-order batter Rinku Singh, who nearly took them across the line against Lucknow Super Giants at the DY Patil Stadium on
Wednesday night.

Rinku scored a blistering 40 off 15 balls, laced with four sixes and two fours, before getting out on the penultimate ball as KKR finished on 208-8, just two runs short of their chase of 210. The Knight Riders needed three runs from the last two balls when Marcus Stoinis had the super-charged Rinku caught brilliantly at short extra cover with a leaping left-handed effort by West Indian Evin Lewis before castling new batter Umesh Yadav with an inch-perfect yorker to provide Lucknow a two-run victory and a place in the four-team play-offs.

KKR's Rinku Singh during his 15-ball 40 against Lucknow Super Giants on Wednesday. Pics, IPL, PTI

"Rinku - what an incredible story of a man who has been around the IPL for five years, has sat on the sidelines for so long, waiting for the opportunity. He got it late and he has taken it. He sure has [become the find of the season for KKR]," said McCullum about the diminutive Ranji Trophy cricketer from Uttar Pradesh.

"Rinku is a player in whom KKR will invest over the next few years. We will see him progress. Ther aren't too many players who can bat in the middle order and pull games out of the fire like he has done for us over a couple of occasions. I'm going in a different direction with the challenge of coaching England in front of me, but I will follow all KKR players, especially Rinku," said the former New Zealand cricketer, who has been appointed England's head coach.

Chasing the imposing score of 210 for no loss set up by Lucknow, following unbeaten knocks of 140 by South African Quinton de Kock, and captain KL Rahul's 68 - a record opening-wicket stand - KKR recovered from 150 for six in the 17th over to come agonisingly close to a win which they needed to stay in the hunt. They finally finished sixth in the 10-team round robin table with 12 points.

McCullum said he has enjoyed the ride with KKR. "I have loved it [as head coach]. We played some great cricket. I will follow this team, moving forward. We couldn't get across the line, but I'm really proud of the effort. Watch out for KKR next year," he concluded.