He kept telling me it was only a matter of time – Dinesh Karthik on Rinku Singh’s special relationship with Abhishek Nayar

India’s wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik revealed how Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Abhishek Nayar was confident that Rinku Singh would soon make it to the national team. Nayar has observed Singh from close quarters in the Indian Premier League.

Singh scored a crucial cameo of 14-ball 22 in the first T20I against Australia at Vizag on Thursday and added the finishing touches in the run-chase of 209 runs. The southpaw kept himself calm and got India over the line when 14 runs were needed off the final two overs.

Meanwhile, Singh had done a fine job while playing for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. The left-hander has scored 725 runs in 31 IPL matches at an average of 36.25 and a strike rate of 142.16.

Singh, who hails from Aligarh, had hogged the limelight when he smashed Yash Dayal for five consecutive sixes in the final over to win the game for KKR.

“This is one of the most fulfilling and heart warming pictures going around,” Karthik said in a post on X. “The relationship between ABHISHEK NAYAR n 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 stayed in nayars 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,” Karthik added.

Karthik added that it must be a surreal feeling for Abhishek Nayar to see Rinku Singh blossom at the top level and reap rewards for the hard work.

“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 ❤️🙏🏼👏🏼,” Karthik wrote.

The second T20I between India and Australia will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.