Malick Asghar Hashmi/New Delhi

Rinku Singh's journey from the narrow streets of Aligarh to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Indian cricket team's dressing room reads like a script of a Hindi film. Amid all his hard work and commitment to the game he loved, Rinku Singh's life had two major catalysts – Mohammad Zeeshan and Masood-uz Zafar Amini – who transformed his ordinary life as the son of a LPG cylinder carrier.

In the above picture, Neha Singh, the only sister of Rinku Singh, is seen trying the rakhi on the wrist of a bearded man, whom she calls "Zeeshan Bhai". He is Mohammad Zeeshan, a part of the Singh family and for a reason.

It is no exaggeration to say that Rinku Singh's destiny would not have been there to hit the iconic winning shot against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 in Dubai, without the presence of Mohammad Zeeshan and his early coach, Masood-uz-Zafar Amini, in his life.

Rinku Singh with friend Mohammad  Zeeshan

Rinku Singh's father worked as a cylinder delivery person at the Govila Gas Warehouse for Rs 2,000, which was too little to provide for his five children. Due to his financial constraints, he asked Rinku Singh, who was 12 years old, to give up cricket and earn money to support him. The young boy gave up playing cricket and became a cleaner.

At this juncture, Rinku's childhood friend, Mohammad Zeeshan, entered his life.

According to a NDTV report, Zeeshan not only convinced Rinku's father to let him play cricket, but also paid for all his expenses with his savings.

The journalist shares a touching anecdote: "The two went to Kanpur for a school tournament. There, Rinku Singh's registration document

was lost, and the organisers refused to let him play. Zeeshan was so eager for Rinku to play that he folded his hands and somehow managed to convince him to let his friend play.

Rinku Singh with his early coach Masood-uz-Zafar Amini

Rinku Singh's early cricketing career has many such stories of bonding between two friends. That's why, when Rinku was bought by the Kolkata Knight Riders, his sister Neha Singh shared a photo on Facebook and wrote, "It was Zeeshan Bhai who led him to the Kolkata Knight Riders."

Rinku's family treats "Zeeshan Bhai" as family, and he is in every family event.

Another figure without whom this Indian player would not have tread the path he did is his coach, Masood-uz-Zafar Amini.  

Amini was the first to spot Rinku's talent and coached him for free. In an interview with the English magazine Outlook, coach Amini recounted Rinku's inspiring journey.

Coach Amini says, "He told the Outlook, "I was a coach at the Aligarh Sports Stadium. Rinku came to me about 12 years ago. He would always come to the ground and watch me train others. I saw him play a couple of times and asked him to join the coaching.”

However, Rinku’s father did not like him playing cricket and would scold him on the ground.

Rinku Singh and  Member of Parliament Priya Saroj on their engagement  ceremony

with his fiance He wanted Rinku to study, while the budding player was clear that he had no interest in studies and wanted to play cricket.

In Rinku, Amini saw an extraordinary ability to 'finish matches.' His calm and positive nature made him special. "When he went out to bat, he would assess the situation well and bat accordingly. Rinku performed well from the start. He scored over 150 runs in his very first match for UP Under-16 in Agra, after which he never looked back. He managed to make it to UP Under-19, then Ranji Trophy and finally IPL.”

Amini says he didn't charge any fees from students at the government stadium. Today, the number of students at his own academy has doubled thanks to Rinku's influence.

Coach Amini advises players and parents to work hard and be patient. He explains that competition in cricket is fierce and that success requires exceptional performance.

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Rinku exemplifies this. He spent long periods on the bench in the IPL, yet he persevered and continued to work on his game and fitness.  

After 10-12 years of struggle, Rinku Singh is a star. Her family has moved out of the servant quarters at the gas warehouse into a 500-square-yard house in Ozone City.