Rinku Singh urges Kohli and Rohit to win 2027 World Cup: 'We last won it in 2011'

'They are legends, both Virat bhaiya and Rohit bhaiya'

NEW DELHI: India's middle-order batter Rinku Singh has said he hopes veteran stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma feature in the 2027 ODI World Cup and help India end a 16-year wait for the coveted trophy. India last won a World Cup in 2011.

Speaking to JioStar, Rinku made clear that the wish is shared well beyond the dressing room. “They are legends, both Virat bhaiya and Rohit bhaiya. Not just me, but the entire nation hopes that they play in the World Cup and are part of the team that goes on to win it,” he said.

“It would be a huge moment for the whole country, as who knows, it could be their last World Cup. So, it would be huge if they can win it for India. It would be huge for them as well, because we haven’t won the World Cup in a long time. We last won it in 2011. So, we hope both of them are with the team, and that they lift that trophy,” Rinku added.

More than the five sixes

Rinku first shot to national fame after smashing five consecutive sixes in an over during an IPL 2023 match for Kolkata Knight Riders against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. But he is keen for his career to be defined by silverware, not a single viral over.

“Right now, people know me for hitting those five sixes in one over. What’s on my mind right now is that I want to win the World Cup for Team India, being part of the team, contributing with the bat and helping India win the World Cup. I want people to know me more for that, rather than just the five sixes,” he said.

'I can play all three formats'

Rinku has been an established T20 finisher, playing two ODIs and 48 T20Is, and was part of India's victorious 2026 T20 World Cup campaign on home soil. Yet he was left out of India's squads after the tour of Zimbabwe in July, and wants to shake off the label of being a white-ball specialist.

“There’s a bit of that perception that I’m just a one-format player. But you can look at my average in domestic cricket, whether it’s in one-dayers or four-day matches. I have a dream of playing Test cricket for India as well,” he said. “So, people shouldn’t view me as a single-format player. I can play all three formats, and I do play all three formats in domestic cricket. But for India, I play only one format at the moment.”

Learning the ropes of captaincy

The 27-year-old also opened up on his development as a leader, having captained his team to a title in the UP League and served as IPL vice-captain last season.

“I’m still growing as far as captaincy is concerned. I was captaining in the UP League, and I became champion with my team. Last season, I was the vice-captain in the IPL. So, I’m learning the ropes of captaincy, a bit from Ajju bhai (Ajinkya Rahane) at KKR and from many others. I played a lot with Surya bhai, so I kept observing him in the Indian team for two years and watching how he leads. I’m working on my leadership skills, and hopefully, something good is in store for me in captaincy,” he said.

'It's all God's blessing'

Reflecting on a journey from humble beginnings to the Indian dressing room, Rinku said looking back keeps him grounded. “When I look back at where I began, I didn’t have much, and now I’ve reached here. That keeps running through my mind, the fact that there was a time when I had nothing, no money. Whenever I do something good, I think back to where I was and how far I have come from there. It’s all God’s blessing. So, I keep looking back at how far I have come,” he concluded.