Rinku Singh has finally spoken about the viral IPL clips that showed him chasing Virat Kohli for a bat. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) batter, who has built a reputation as one of the most explosive finishers in Indian cricket, admitted that those moments did not put him in the best light.
“Main thoda zyada badnaam ho gaya tha bat ke chakkar mai (I became infamous because of the bat),” Rinku told News24 Sports. “I used to meet him (Kohli) normally and then asked for a bat. The cameraman would follow me. It wasn’t being perceived well. It wasn’t good for me and bhaiya (Kohli) too as videos of bat were going viral.”
The story first took shape when Rinku broke a bat gifted to him by Kohli before promptly asking the RCB star for another one. Kohli, initially reluctant, eventually handed him a new bat, and the entire sequence went viral. Rinku said the constant chatter around it made him step back this year. That is why viewers weren’t able to see any bat-chasing reel of Rinku with Kohli. Interestingly, the two were part of the grand opening ceremony of this year’s IPL alongside Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma fulfills Rinku’s wish
While the Kohli saga followed him in IPL 2024, Rinku took a different route during IPL 2025. This time he stayed away from the cameras around Virat and instead went to two other legends of the game. “I wasn’t seen with Virat bhai this time (IPL 2025). I did get Mahi bhai’s bat and Rohit bhai’s bat. It’s a big deal for me getting the bats from such players,” he revealed.
Beyond collecting, Rinku also made it clear that he passes on bats to youngsters who truly need them. “I have given a lot of bats myself. I do give bats to those who need them but those who have contracts, I don’t,” he said.
Now part of India’s squad for the Asia Cup 2025, Rinku’s focus is back on the field. His recent hundred in the UP T20 League and his late finishing heroics continue has added to his confidence.
