Rinku Singh's meteoric rise at Eden Gardens just got another boost. Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday handed the fan favourite the vice-captaincy for IPL 2026, placing him right beside skipper Ajinkya Rahane in the franchise's leadership group. "God's plan has a new chapter," KKR declared on X — a nod to Rinku's remarkable journey from domestic grind to one of Indian cricket's most electrifying match-winners.
The move carries a clear signal: KKR see Rinku as a future captain. The left-hander has long been the heartbeat of their middle order, and giving him a formal leadership role now is a shrewd investment. With Rahane steering the ship at 37, the three-time champions are clearly laying the groundwork for a transition that could come sooner rather than later.
Off the field, the Knight Riders have been busy plugging gaps in their squad. Left-arm quick Saurabh Dubey was drafted in as a replacement for the injured Akash Deep. KKR's pace cupboard still looks thin, though. Mustafizur Rahman is gone after his BCCI-mandated release, Harshit Rana is unavailable, and the burden will fall on Dushmantha Chameera Pathirana, Blessing Muzarabani, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi, and the enigmatic Umran Malik. Cameron Green offers an extra seam option, but depth remains a concern.
KKR open their campaign against five-time champions Mumbai Indians on March 29 at the Wankhede. It will be Rinku's first outing in the vice-captain's armband — and if his track record is anything to go by, expect fireworks from ball one.
