Rinku Singh’s fiancée, Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj, has emotionally dedicated the cricketer’s match‑winning 83‑run knock to his late father, Khanchand Singh, as a tearful message about “missing him a lot” went viral after Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 clash against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium.
Playing at a crucial juncture with KKR reeling at 73 for 6, Rinku slammed 83 not out, helping his side post 155 in a high‑pressure thriller against Lucknow Super Giants and then steering the team through a nerve‑wracking finish, including a Super‑Over. His innings, laced with boundaries and sixes, turned the match around and drew loud applause from fans in the stands, many of whom now see him as a symbol of resilience after his recent personal loss.
Priya Saroj, present in the stands to support her fiancé, told reporters and in a video shared by KKR: “I am very happy. Whatever he has played today is for my father‑in‑law, and I am missing him a lot today.” She described the innings not just as a sporting achievement but as a tribute to Khanchand Singh, who had been Rinku’s biggest motivator throughout his career and passed away earlier in the year after battling stage‑four cancer.
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In the days after his father’s death, Rinku had already posted emotional social‑media messages, saying he wished his father could have seen him lift the T20 World Cup trophy. Priya’s on‑camera comments, aired widely after the Ekana match, have now amplified that grief–inspiration narrative, with fans and commentators noting how Rinku channels personal sorrow into steely performances under pressure.
The couple’s bond, visible in the stands as Priya jumped, cheered, and wiped away tears, has also struck a chord with the public, who see the innings as a quiet, powerful tribute rather than a show‑of‑strength spectacle. For Rinku Singh’s family and supporters, the message “missing him a lot” has turned his 83 into one of the most emotionally charged match‑winning knocks of IPL 2026.
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