Rinku Singh warms up for Asia Cup with ruthless show in UPT20 League

India batter Rinku Singh warmed up for Asia Cup 2025 with a breathtaking knock in the Uttar Pradesh T20 league. Captaining Meerut Mavericks against Kashi Rudras, Rinku played a sensational innings of 78* (48), smashing six fours and as many sixes. Courtesy of his knock, Meerut managed to chase down the target of 136 in 15.4 overs.

Rinku walked out to bat with his team in desperate need of a captain’s knock as they were reeling at 26/3 in 5.1 overs. The southpaw didn’t get off to a flashy start as he weathered the storm and tried to rebuild Meerut’s innings alongside Madhav Kaushik.

He scored seven runs off his first 20 balls and finally scored his first boundary on the 21^st delivery. His first six of the innings came on 30^th delivery as Rinku was happy to play second fiddle to Kaushik, who didn’t shy away from playing extravagant shots.

The 27-year-old hit three boundaries in the 14^th over against Ashsih Yadav to get his innings going. He further whacked Shiva Singh for consecutive sixes followed by a boundary to bring up his half-century in 43 balls. With just 19 runs required to win the match, Rinku went 6,4,6,6 against Atal Bihari to end the match in style.

At the other end, Madhav Kaushik remained unbeaten on 34* (20) and got involved in a massive 113-run stand off 63 balls for the fourth wicket. Courtesy of their collective effort, Meerut managed to win the match by seven wickets and Kartik Tyagi was adjudged Player of the Match.

The right-arm seamer picked 4/33 in four overs, while Vijay Kumar (2/22) also picked two wickets. Rinku has been in sensational form in the ongoing UP T20 league, having scored 295 runs from seven innings at an average of 59 and a strike rate of 170.52. The southpaw will be eager to continue his rich form as India aim to defend their Asia Cup title in the UAE.

The Suryakumar Yadav-led side has been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Oman and UAE. India will start their campaign against UAE on September 10.