Rinku Singh produced a superb display of composure and strokeplay as his century on Day 4 of the Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu helped Uttar Pradesh fight their way back into contention at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Ground in Coimbatore.

Walking in at No. 5 with his team struggling at 149 for 3, Rinku anchored the innings with a mature and fluent 100 off 157 balls. His knock, decorated with nine boundaries and three sixes, showcased a perfect blend of patience and aggression. This century — his ninth in first-class cricket — reaffirmed why many see him as one of India’s most dependable domestic batters.

Rinku found solid support from opener Abhishek Goswami, who scored 79, while Aryan Juyal and Shivam Mavi added valuable contributions of 43 and 54 respectively. Their efforts collectively reduced Tamil Nadu’s first-innings lead, keeping Uttar Pradesh alive in the contest.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu’s strong batting performance had put them in control. Baba Indrajith top-scored with a classy 149, while Andre Siddarth’s 121 and Ajitesh’s 86 powered the hosts to a commanding total. But Rinku’s innings ensured that Uttar Pradesh would not go down without a fight.

This was also Rinku Singh’s second century of the season. He had earlier scored an unbeaten 165 against Andhra Pradesh — his highest first-class score — before missing a few games while on national duty during the T20I series against Australia.

Although widely recognised for his power-hitting and finishing prowess in T20 cricket, Rinku’s red-ball record speaks volumes about his adaptability. With an impressive average of over 57, more than 3,500 runs, and 22 half-centuries to go along with his nine centuries, he has quietly built a formidable first-class résumé.

With India transitioning into a new Test era following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli earlier this year, the middle order remains an open competition. Rinku, who has thrived in both domestic and limited-overs cricket, could emerge as a strong contender for a Test berth if his Ranji form continues.

While he may not yet top the selectors’ shortlist, his growing consistency and ability to deliver under pressure are hard to ignore. As Uttar Pradesh’s innings in Coimbatore proved, Rinku Singh isn’t just a T20 sensation — he’s a complete batter ready to make his mark in the longer format too.