Smashed window of St. George Park’s press box awaits Rinku Singh’s autograph

Rinku Singh's powerful shot broke a window at St George Park, with repairs delayed due to budget constraints.

It's been over a year since a Rinku Singh maximum smashed the window glass of St George Park's press box and with a repair unlikely anytime soon, the ground management won't mind the Indian marauder's autograph on the damaged portion the next time he is here.

It was in December 2023 when Rinku, during the second T20 International against the Proteas, hit one of his trademark unbeaten 39-ball 68 in a losing cause. One of the two sixes during that knock ended up breaking the glass window of the press enclosure.

However, it didn't fully crumble to ground and has stood tall despite the harsh weather, including a storm that took away a part of the roof in the stands last August.

After he damaged the press box window, which is located in the Graeme Pollock Pavilion in Gqeberha, Rinku had offered a soft apology for his hit which was termed as a "great shot" by the legendary Dale Steyn.

The local management hasn't felt the need to change it due to other pressing matters, including periodic repair and management of the facilities here amid budgetary limitations.

Changing the cracked window glass won't be an easy task either.

"You see, it is located at a specific height here and it will be a tough job to get it changed. Someone would have to be hoisted on a crane and then the repair work will be carried out, but we have focused on the more serious matters which have kept coming up," a ground management official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.