Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) faces growing calls from cricket experts to reconsider Rinku Singh's batting position for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. Former India cricketers Ravichandran Ashwin and Irfan Pathan have specifically urged the franchise to promote the left-hander to number four, arguing that his talent is being underutilized in a lower-order finishing role. This comes after a noticeable dip in Singh's performance in the IPL 2025 season and a subdued outing in the recent T20 World Cup 2026.[sportskeeda+5]
Experts Advocate for Batting Order Change
Ravichandran Ashwin, a former Chennai Super Kings player and prominent cricket analyst, emphasized the need for KKR to move Rinku Singh higher up the batting order. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin suggested that Singh should not be "pigeonholed as a finisher" and instead be given the opportunity to bat at number four, allowing him more time at the crease to dictate play. "If I was KKR, I would be saying Rinku Singh at No.4," Ashwin stated.He explained that if two early wickets fall, KKR could still push Cameron Green into the powerplay, but after the initial six overs, Rinku Singh should be positioned to play for four to five overs and then take on bowlers.Ashwin believes this change would enable Singh to score a "more volume of runs" than in previous seasons.[sportskeeda+11]
Irfan Pathan echoed these sentiments, identifying Rinku Singh's form as a key "problem" for KKR to address.Pathan highlighted Singh's stellar IPL 2023 season, where he amassed 474 runs at an average of 59.25 and a strike rate of 149.53, including four half-centuries.However, since that breakthrough year, his performance has declined significantly, with only 374 runs in 22 innings at an average of 23.37, and a highest score of 38 runs.Pathan observed that Singh often did not receive enough opportunities to bat in IPL 2025 and struggled to capitalize on the chances he did get during the T20 World Cup 2026, where he scored just 24 runs in five innings."This is another problem that Kolkata needs to rectify, and Rinku Singh is one of them," Pathan said on his YouTube channel.[tribuneindia+10]
Rinku Singh's Recent Struggles and Underutilization
In the IPL 2025 season, Rinku Singh frequently found himself batting as low as number seven or eight due to a crowded middle order.This limited his opportunities to face a substantial number of balls, despite his proven ability to perform under pressure.For instance, in a crucial match against Lucknow Super Giants, he was sent in at number eight with KKR needing 62 runs off 28 balls.Despite a valiant effort, scoring an unbeaten 38 off 15 balls, KKR lost by four runs, leading to fan criticism that the management had "made a mockery of his talent" by delaying his entry.[sportskeeda+6]
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane acknowledged discussions about promoting Singh up the order in IPL 2025.However, Rahane explained that "match situations often dictate such decisions."He mentioned that an initial plan to send Singh in earlier was altered due to quick dismissals of other batsmen, leading to Angkrish Raghuvanshi batting ahead of him.Despite this, Rahane assured fans that Singh would likely receive more opportunities higher up the order in future matches.[m+7]
KKR's Batting Overhaul and Future Role
The Kolkata Knight Riders' batting unit is set for a significant revamp ahead of IPL 2026, with key players like Venkatesh Iyer and Andre Russell reportedly released.This restructuring presents a timely opportunity for KKR to redefine Rinku Singh's role.While KKR's improved bowling combination is considered a strength, their middle order remains a concern, with Singh being their only proven finisher.The team has also acquired Australian all-rounder Cameron Green, who is expected to bat in the top three or at number four, further complicating the batting order decisions.[sportskeeda+7]
Former CSK player Suresh Raina also backed the promotion of Rinku Singh, stating, "Rinku will have to bat higher. He can come in at No. 4 because he is not a slogger. He is a proper batsman. He has won matches for them, so he can play the long innings."Raina pointed out that KKR's middle order struggled last season, with players like Russell, Ramandeep, and Rinku Singh often batting at numbers seven, eight, and nine.[cricketaddictor+3]
Beyond his batting role, Rinku Singh has also been discussed as a potential captaincy option for KKR, signaling a possible long-term leadership transition for the franchise.His leadership credentials include captaining Meerut Mavericks in the UP T20 League and leading Uttar Pradesh in domestic cricket.However, the immediate "problem" at hand, as highlighted by experts, remains his optimal utilization as a batsman.[zeenews+1]
KKR will kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians on March 29.The team management now faces the challenge of strategically integrating Rinku Singh into a revamped batting lineup to maximize his potential and address the concerns raised by cricket pundits. Providing him with a more central role at number four could be crucial for KKR's pursuit of another IPL title.[sportskeeda+4]
