Rinku Singh as Uttar Pradesh's Captain

Rinku Singh has been named the captain of Uttar Pradesh for the Vijay Hazare Trophy, India’s premier 50-over domestic tournament, set to commence on December 21. He steps into this role after Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who recently led the team in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where UP’s journey ended in a quarterfinal loss to Delhi.

This appointment marks Rinku's debut as a senior-level state team captain. Earlier this year, he showcased his leadership prowess by guiding the Meerut Mavericks to victory in the UPT20 League. With an impressive tally of 210 runs across nine innings at a remarkable strike rate of 161.54, Rinku proved to be a dependable finisher for the team.

Reflecting on his UPT20 League experience, Rinku expressed his satisfaction, noting that leading the Mavericks was a significant milestone in his career. 

"It was a big opportunity for me to lead Meerut Mavericks in the UPT20 League, and I am happy that I could deliver," Rinku said ahead of their Vijay Hazare Trophy opener. "I really enjoyed captaincy as it allowed me to learn many things."

"I did try my hand at bowling too at the UPT20 league. Present-day cricket demands a full package - a cricketer who can bat, bowl and field. Now I am focusing on my bowling too. As captain of Uttar Pradesh, I have got a bigger role to play, and I'm ready for this."

Rinku's promotion comes as his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), considers its leadership options for the 2025 season. Associated with KKR since 2018, Rinku was recently retained alongside stalwarts like Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Varun Chakravarthy, and Ramandeep Singh. However, he remains focused on his immediate goal of leading Uttar Pradesh to reclaim the Vijay Hazare Trophy, a title they last won in the 2015-16 season.

Rinku humbly downplayed the prospect of leading KKR, stating his dedication to Uttar Pradesh's campaign. He noted that his priorities lie in ensuring his state team performs well rather than pondering IPL captaincy.

The Vijay Hazare Trophy also serves as a crucial platform for selectors, offering insights into players as they finalise India's ODI squad for the Champions Trophy in February. While Rinku has established himself in T20 Internationals, his ODI journey is just beginning, with two appearances since his debut in South Africa last year.

Rinku’s List A record is a testament to his consistency, boasting 1,899 runs in 52 innings with an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 94.8. His performances include one century and 17 half-centuries. Despite the attention surrounding him, Rinku is not treating this tournament as a stepping stone for national selection.

He attributes his journey to faith and hard work:"I believe in God," he said. "I didn't even think of being part of team India when I struck five consecutive sixes in the IPL last year. That turned out to be the biggest game changer in my life. Even now I feel that if God has decided something for me, I will get that surely. But at the same time, I also need to work hard on my job."

Uttar Pradesh’s Vijay Hazare Trophy journey begins against Jammu and Kashmir on December 21, followed by matches against Mizoram, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Chandigarh, and Vidarbha. With Rinku at the helm, the team looks poised to make a strong statement this season.