Rising star Rinku Singh etched his name into Indian cricket history by eclipsing legends Rahul Dravid, Saba Karim, and current Test opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the all-time highest first-class batting averages among players with at least 50 innings. The 27-year-old southpaw achieved this milestone with a masterful unbeaten 165 in Uttar Pradesh's (UP) opening Ranji Trophy 2025-26 encounter against Andhra Pradesh at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium. Propelling his average from 54.68 to a stellar 57.39—the tenth-highest ever for Indian cricketers meeting the criteria—Rinku's knock not only salvaged a draw but also secured three crucial points for UP, underscoring his growing prowess ahead of India's upcoming five-match T20I tour of Australia.

The match unfolded as a testament to resilience on a batsman-friendly pitch. Andhra Pradesh, electing to bat after skipper Ricky Bhui's toss win, amassed a formidable 470 in nearly two days, anchored by a marathon 194-run second-wicket stand between wicketkeeper KS Bharat (142) and Shaik Rasheed (136). UP's response began promisingly with openers Madhav Kaushik and Aryan Juyal's 119-run partnership, but a middle-order collapse saw them slump to 178/5 and later 220/6. Entering at No. 4 with 36 to his name, Rinku steadied the innings alongside tailenders Vipraj Nigam (42) and No. 9 Shivam Sharma (36), methodically farming the strike while accelerating when needed. His eighth first-class century, culminating in a career-best 165* off 200 balls with 18 fours and five sixes, guided UP to 471/9 declared, edging a one-run lead and ensuring a share of the spoils in a fixture that seemed destined for stalemate.

Rinku's ascent in the record books places him just behind icons like Vijay Merchant, whose 13,000+ runs came at an unmatched 71.64 average, followed by Shantanu Sugwekar and KC Ibrahim above 60. Surpassing Dravid's storied 55.36 and Jaiswal's emerging 56.12 highlights Rinku's consistency across 52 innings, blending white-ball flair with red-ball grit. A product of Uttar Pradesh's domestic setup, where he honed his skills in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Rinku's journey from IPL finisher to first-class heavyweight mirrors the BCCI's push for multi-format depth amid a transitional national team era. His exploits come weeks before the Australia tour, where he eyes a T20I spot, potentially bridging the gap left by retirees like Rohit Sharma.

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This Ranji opener, part of the revamped 2025-26 edition emphasising endurance with day-night options and equal points for leads, reaffirms the tournament's role in talent incubation. For UP, Rinku's heroics inject momentum into Group C, while Andhra rue a missed opportunity despite their top-order fireworks. As India balances Test preparations for the Border-Gavaskar series with T20 innovation, Rinku's record-breaking surge signals a new generation ready to challenge the old guard. Experts hail his poise under pressure as a blueprint for aspiring batters, ensuring the Ranji Trophy remains cricket's ultimate proving ground in a T20-dominated landscape.

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