Rinku Singh silenced his critics in style with a breathtaking century in the ongoing UPT20 League at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, just days after being named in India’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. Leading the Meerut Mavericks, Rinku produced a captain’s knock, smashing an unbeaten 108 off just 48 balls to script a commanding six-wicket win over Dhruv Jurel’s Gorakhpur Lions on Thursday night.
Chasing 168, the Mavericks rode on Rinku’s fireworks to seal the match with seven deliveries to spare. The left-hander’s innings was a display of clean power-hitting, laced with seven boundaries and eight towering sixes. He brought up his hundred in spectacular fashion, dispatching Vasu Vats for three consecutive sixes in the penultimate over.
With a strike rate of 225, Rinku single-handedly powered Meerut to third place on the points table. Earlier, Gorakhpur had posted 167/6 after losing Aryan Juyal in the very first over.
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Skipper Dhruv Jurel (38) and Akshdeep Nath (23) steadied the innings with a 45-run partnership, before Nishant Kushwaha’s handy 37 ensured a competitive total. However, their effort was overshadowed by Rinku’s brilliance, as the Mavericks’ captain turned the chase into a one-man show under the lights.
𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙆𝙐 𝙎𝙀𝙏𝙎 𝙀𝙆𝘼𝙉𝘼 𝙊𝙉 𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙀, 𝙐𝙋 𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙀 𝘽𝙍𝙄𝙂𝘼𝘿𝙀 𝘾𝘼𝙇𝙇𝙀𝘿 𝙄𝙉
Watch live on @SonyLIV and @SonySportsNetwk. #UPT20League #ANAXUPT20League #KhiladiYahanBantaHai #MMvsGGL [ Rinku Singh ] pic.twitter.com/yvxZbpKNcI
— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 21, 2025
The timing of Rinku’s century couldn’t have been more perfect. His selection for the Asia Cup had sparked debate, with some experts questioning why Washington Sundar was overlooked. Addressing the decision, chief selector Ajit Agarkar clarified that the team needed an additional batter, given the current spin options of Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, and Axar Patel.
“Washington is always in the scheme of things, but with just 15 spots, we felt Rinku gave us balance as an extra batter. Had we picked 16, maybe he would have been included,” Ajita Agarkar explained.
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With this explosive knock, Rinku has not only justified the selectors’ faith but also sent a strong message ahead of his maiden Asia Cup campaign starting September 9 in the UAE. His fearless approach suggests he is more than ready for the big stage.
