Image Credit- Twitter (X)
In the opening Twenty20 International of their
three-match series in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, India defeated Australia by
two wickets to launch their post-ODI World Cup campaign in fine fashion. India
reached 209/8 in 19.5 overs while chasing 209 because of some fantastic
finishing from Rinku Singh. With four fours, the KKR player blasted an
undefeated 22 runs off of 14 balls.
After 19 overs and 202/5, the hosts found themselves
in a precarious situation in the last over of the innings. Within the third,
fourth, and fifth deliveries of the twentieth over, they lost the wickets of
Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, and Axar Patel. With one run required in the last
delivery, Rinku faced Sean Abbott for India. However, Abbott bowled a no ball
and Rinku hammered it for a six over long-on to clinch a win.
Fans saw Rinku and Abhishek Nayar embrace warmly after
Rinku led India to victory. Dinesh Karthik praised the pair and provided an
explanation of their relationship on X, the former name of Twitter. As
Karthik’s personal coach, Nayar was also instrumental in his return to the
Indian squad. Iyer was also trained by Nayar recently.
“This is one of the most fulfilling and heartwarming pictures going around. The relationship between ABHISHEK NAYAR and RINKU
SINGH. It was a partnership that started in 2018 during my time in KKR. Nayar
always saw the potential in Rinku, he kept telling me, it was only a matter of
time before he did something really special,” he said.
“Coming from a small town in Aligarh, all he
needed was to think big, and I think that shift in mindset was what Nayar
worked with Rinku majorly about apart from fine-tuning his death-hitting
skills. Even during the time he had an ACL injury, nayar convinced @VenkyMysore
sir who gracefully accepted Rinku to be part of the team and made him travel
and stay with KKR. He stayed in Nayar’s house post IPL for many months for Rehab
and started working on his batting and had a stellar domestic season and then
eventually did what Nayar and Kkr always thought he could do, a MATCH WINNING
FINISHER.
“And today when I see this photo, i just feel
like NAYAR as a coach has grown in stature and can share the happiness he feels
for Rinku along with the rest of the world. Must be a surreal feeling seeing
one of your students do well at a world stage and also be lucky enough to watch
it live as a broadcaster and call the moment Well done @abhisheknayar1 and
@rinkusingh235 To many more such stories,” he further added.