'We last won it in 2011': Rinku wants Virat, Rohit to win 2027 ODI World Cup

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma (Image credit: AFP)

NEW DELHI: Rinku Singh hopes veteran stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup and help India win the coveted trophy. The middle-order batter also wants to move beyond the perception of being a single-format player and earn a Test cap for India.Rinku has played two ODIs and 48 T20Is so far. He was also part of India's victorious 2026 T20 World Cup campaign on home soil earlier this year.

'Entire nation hopes that they play in the World Cup'

Rinku wants Kohli and Rohit to be part of India's 2027 ODI World Cup campaign and believes their presence would be special for the team and the country.“They are legends, both Virat bhaiya and Rohit bhaiya. Not just me, but the entire nation hopes that they play in the World Cup and are part of the team that goes on to win it.“It would be a huge moment for the whole country, as who knows, it could be their last World Cup. So, it would be huge if they can win it for India. It would be huge for them as well, because we haven’t won the World Cup in a long time. We last won it in 2011. So, we hope both of them are with the team, and that they lift that trophy,” Rinku said to JioStar.

Rinku wants to be known for World Cup wins

Rinku shot to fame after hitting five consecutive sixes in an over during an IPL 2023 match for Kolkata Knight Riders against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.

However, the batter wants his career to be remembered for more than that one moment.“Right now, people know me for hitting those five sixes in one over. What’s on my mind right now is that I want to win the World Cup for Team India, being part of the team, contributing with the bat and helping India win the World Cup. I want people to know me more for that, rather than just the five sixes.”

'I can play all three formats'

Rinku has established himself as a reliable finisher in T20 cricket.

However, he was omitted from India's squads after the tour of Zimbabwe in July.The batter wants to move away from the perception that he is purely a white-ball specialist and pointed to his domestic record in both one-day and four-day cricket.“There’s a bit of that perception that I’m just a one-format player. But you can look at my average in domestic cricket, whether it’s in one-dayers or four-day matches. I have a dream of playing Test cricket for India as well.“So, people shouldn’t view me as a single-format player. I can play all three formats, and I do play all three formats in domestic cricket. But for India, I play only one format at the moment.”

Rinku learning the ropes of captaincy

Rinku also spoke about his development as a leader and said he is still learning from experienced captains in domestic and franchise cricket.“I’m still growing as far as captaincy is concerned. I was captaining in the UP League, and I became champion with my team.

Last season, I was the vice-captain in the IPL.“So, I’m learning the ropes of captaincy, a bit from Ajju bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) at KKR and from many others. I played a lot with Surya bhai, so I kept observing him in the Indian team for two years and watching how he leads. I’m working on my leadership skills, and hopefully, something good is in store for me in captaincy.”

'It’s all God’s blessing'

Rinku also reflected on his journey from humble beginnings to becoming an India cricketer.He said looking back at his past keeps him grounded.“When I look back at where I began, I didn’t have much, and now I’ve reached here. That keeps running through my mind, the fact that there was a time when I had nothing, no money.“Whenever I do something good, I think back to where I was and how far I have come from there. It’s all God’s blessing. So, I keep looking back at how far I have come,” he concluded.