When you think of KKR, it's Shah Rukh Khan first and then Rinku Singh: Ajinkya Rahane

IPL 2026: Rinku Singh named KKR vice-captain as Rahane and Nayar praised his growth, leadership and impact, with the T20 World Cup winner now taking on a bigger role.

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane had special praise for Rinku Singh after the franchise named him vice-captain ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League season.

Speaking at Knights Unplugged 3.0, Rahane underlined just how integral Rinku has become to the identity of the franchise.

"Obviously, and you kind of summed it up yourself, when we think about KKR, the first name that comes to our mind is Shah Rukh Khan; the very next name is Rinku Singh," Rahane said.

Rinku’s journey with the Kolkata Knight Riders has been one of persistence and gradual rise. Having spent seven years with the franchise, he did not always have the opportunities that many young players are afforded in the IPL. Often used as a substitute fielder in his early years, Rinku had to make the most of limited chances.

By consistently delivering in those moments, he worked his way into the core of the side and is now regarded as one of KKR’s most important players. His rise at the franchise level has also translated to the international stage, where he broke into India’s T20I setup and was part of the squad that went on to win the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad.

KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar also reflected on Rinku’s journey and growth within the setup.