2 weeks Ago
Rinku Singh's tattoos mark KKR signing him in the IPL 2018 auction, changing his life. The ₹80 lakhs helped his family buy a house and marry his siblings. Now, he's key for KKR.
RiRinku Singh has revealed the story behind the unique tattoos on his arms — ‘God’s Plan’ inscribed on his left hand and a clock showing 2:20 on the right — saying they represent the moment when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) signed him in the IPL 2018 auction, which changed his life forever. He said the sum allowed his family to buy a house, and made it financially easier for them to marry some of his four siblings. Rinku has come from humble beginnings, living in a two-quarter room in Aligarh and doing odd jobs to support his family.
He played cricket on the side and worked hard to reach the Uttar Pradesh state team via tennis-ball cricket and school competitions. He didn’t take much time to make a name for himself and hasn’t looked back since, having made his India debut as well as becoming an important part of KKR . “When I was picked by KKR in 2018 for ₹80 lakhs, that amount was huge for me and my family," Rinku on an episode of Knight Bite, KKR’s cooking show involving their players on YouTube.
“We didn’t have much money before that. My family’s life changed completely. My siblings’ marriages became easier, and we even bought a house with that money.
That’s why I got this tattoo with the family written here. It was exactly 2:21 or 2:20 when I was picked, and everything changed from that moment," he added, explaining the story behind his tattoos. Now, Rinku is among the highest earners in the IPL .
Ahead of the ongoing 2025 season, KKR retained him for 13 crore as their first pick. He has already played 33 T20Is and two ODIs for the country and is seen as a key part of the lower order in the shortest format. He still remembers how nervous his debut in 2023 made him feel.
“When you play for India, and you achieve what you started playing cricket for, you do feel a bit anxious. In my first match, I didn’t get to bat, just fielding, and it was raining too, so I was a bit worried. But after a little bit of time, everything became normal," Rinku said.
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