'A surreal feeling': Dinesh Karthik reveals how Abhishek Nayar improved Rinku Singh's finishing skills

After Rinku Singh showed tremendous calm and temperament to win the first T20I match against Australia, India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik shed light on how Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Abhishek Nayar shaped the career of the left-handed batter. It should be mentioned that the relationship between Abhishek Nayar and Rinku Singh dates back to 2018 when they both met at Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). As per Karthik, it was during this time, that Abhishek recognised Rinku’s potential and had an unwavering belief that the young talent was destined for significant achievements. IND vs AUS: Why Rinku Singh’s last-ball six wasn’t counted? Abhishek Nayar understood that Rinku Singh needed to be strong mentally. Abhishek started working on it and also focused on improving Rinku’s skills in handling pressure situations, particularly during the death overs. “Nayar always saw the potential in Rinku, he kept telling me, it was only a matter of time before he did something really special. Coming from a small town in Aligarh, all he needed was to think big, and I think that shift in mindset was what Nayar worked with Rinku majorly about apart from fine-tuning his death-hitting skills," Karthik wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, sharing an image of Abhishek hugging Rinku following the conclusion of the first T20I between India and Australia yesterday.

This is one of the most fulfilling and heart warming pictures going around

The relationship between ABHISHEK NAYAR n RINKU SINGH

it was a partnership that started in 2018 during my time in KKR. Nayar always saw the potential in Rinku , he kept telling me, it was only a matter… pic.twitter.com/ia8nTJBElW

— DK (@DineshKarthik) November 24, 2023

Dinesh Karthik also spoke about the great bonding between Abhishek Nayar and Rinku Singh and how this trust played a big part in the latter’s development. Even during a phase of injury, Abhishek convinced KKR CEO Venky Mysore to retain Rinku as part of the team, enabling him to travel and stay with the franchise. After the IPL, Rinku Singh spent several months at Abhishek Nayar’s residence for rehabilitation, focusing extensively on honing his batting skills. IND vs AUS: India’s win after World Cup final defeat sparks meme fest Dinesh Karthik said that looking at this photo, he sensed that Abhishek Nayar had grown as a coach and now, he can share the joy he experienced for Rinku Singh with the entire world. “Must be a surreal feeling seeing one of your students do well at a world stage and also be lucky enough to watch it live as a broadcaster and call the moment,” Karthik added in his social media post. Rinku Singh played a crucial unbeaten knock of 22 off 14 balls to earn a thrilling two-wicket win for India against Australia in the first T20I last night. Hosts India scored the winning runs with one ball to spare.