“Zyada Badnam Ho Gaya…”: Rinku Singh Explains Viral Bat Episodes With Virat Kohli, Shares New Stories From IPL

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Cric News India

August 23, 2025 0 190

Rinku Singh opens up on bat controversy

India cricketer Rinku Singh has revealed why he repeatedly asked Virat Kohli for bats during the IPL and admitted that the viral videos did not put him in a good light. Last season, clips of the Kolkata Knight Riders batter requesting bats from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star spread widely on social media.

Rinku said he had broken a bat gifted by Kohli before asking for another, which initially left the former India captain a little annoyed before he eventually obliged. “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.”

During IPL 2025, Rinku was not seen much with Kohli. Instead, another Uttar Pradesh player, Swastik Chikara, went viral for shadowing the Indian superstar. “For Chikara, it was a big deal to be around such a big player. He became his shadow. He learnt a lot from him,” Rinku said.

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While avoiding a repeat of the Kohli episode, Rinku did manage to get bats from other Indian legends. “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 shared.

The southpaw also explained that he gives away bats of his own, but only to those who truly require 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.

Rinku has been included in India’s 15-member squad for the Asia Cup 2025, which begins on September 9 in the UAE. India will open their campaign against UAE on September 10.