Rinku Singh delivered one of the most powerful and complete performances of her red-ball career, leading Uttar Pradesh to a sensational first-innings lead from a difficult situation against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 Elite Group A encounter in Coimbatore.
The left-handed batsman came in to bat at No. 5 when Uttar Pradesh was under pressure after Tamil Nadu posted a mammoth total of 455 runs in their first innings at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Ground in Coimbatore.
However, Rinku changed the situation with her brilliant batting. It was an amazing display of patience, control and fearless hitting as the explosive Indian batsman converted 98 runs into a magnificent 176 runs overnight, leaving Tamil Nadu stunned.
Rinku Singh’s explosive innings of 176 runs helped Uttar Pradesh take a thrilling lead in the first innings of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match.
Rinku brought up her ninth first-class century in 157 balls in the morning session on Wednesday and then showed remarkable stamina in the face of 247 balls to produce an innings full of both discipline and aggression. The Uttar Pradesh star’s innings against Tamil Nadu included 17 fours and 6 sixes.
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This was Rinku’s second century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season, before which she had scored an unbeaten 165 against Odisha. The 28-year-old missed several rounds of the tournament due to his commitments with the national team in Australia, but made a remarkable comeback.
Rinku’s innings was not just an individual milestone as Tamil Nadu bowlers, especially Karthik Yadav and P Vidyut, continued to test her with pressure, but the Indian star looked undeterred. Whenever Uttar Pradesh needed to push, they found loopholes, punished mistakes and hit sky-high sixes.
Rinku Singh saved Uttar Pradesh with patient partnerships
He also played important partnerships during his remarkable innings, adding 104 runs with Shivam Mavi (54), followed by an unbeaten 58-run stand with Karthik Yadav (20), which stabilized the chase. Later Rinku also added important 53 runs with Shivam Sharma (22).
Even when KKR’s finisher was caught by Sonu Yadav off P Vidyut in the 143rd over while trying to hit the big hit, he still took Uttar Pradesh out of danger and into a strong position. Aaqib Khan kept his composure by scoring 14 not out off 29 balls, while Kunal Tyagi contributed 5 important runs.
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Together, they helped Uttar Pradesh reach 460 runs, taking a five-run lead against Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2025-26 game in Coimbatore. For Tamil Nadu, Vidyut took 4 wickets for 73 runs in 28 overs, while captain R Sai Kishore took three wickets.
Rinku Singh’s first class career
Well, Rinku is known as one of India’s most reliable finishers in T20 cricket, but she has quietly built an impressive record in red-ball cricket as well. His performances in red-ball cricket show a completely different side to his game, with fans now demanding him to get India A games regularly.
In 53 first-class matches, Rinku has already crossed 3,600 runs, and he has done it with remarkable consistency with an average above 57. These are the kind of numbers that only top-class red-ball players maintain. He has already scored 22 half-centuries, which proves that he knows how to play long innings, be patient and score big under pressure.
Gautam Gambhir’s coaching career may be saved
The Indian team is currently facing South Africa in a 2-match Test series and has lost 1-0 in the first match. The batting has been heavily criticised, and Gautam Gambhir’s advocacy of turning tracks has also been criticized.
Gautam Gambhir has found it difficult to manage the Test team since taking charge after the T20 World Cup 2024. New Zealand’s infamous defeat at home took place during Gautam Gambhir’s tenure, and the Australian tour was not one to remember for Indian fans.
Test stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin were indirectly left out due to Gautam Gambhir’s preferences, and now, with another series defeat on the cards, Gautam Gambhir may turn to Rinku Singh to deliver the goods.
Gautam Gambhir’s main man, Shubman Gill, is almost out of the series, and this could pave the way for the inclusion of Rinku Singh at the last minute.
