Rinku Singh apologised for breaking the press box window with a huge six during India’s second T20I against South Africa at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha on Tuesday (December 12).
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During the last ball of the 19th over, Aiden Markram sent down a full delivery, against which Rinku stepped out, hitting a muscular straight hit for a six. It was the batter’s second successive six, having earlier smashed a maximum over wide long-on off Markram.
The second six, however, proved costly as images later emerged that the shot had gone straight into the glass in the press box leading to a cracked window. Dale Steyn, who was an expert on Star Sports, commented on the six during the break: “Yes, and someone in the eastern bay of Gqeberha [where the match was held] won’t be too happy with Rinku Singh breaking one of their windows.”
That Rinku SIX just landed in the media box. pic.twitter.com/fwAXKUUvD1
— Rajal Arora (@RajalArora) December 12, 2023
Rinku later took responsibility and apologised for breaking the window glass. Speaking after the game to BCCI, he said, “When I hit the shot and the six, I didn’t even know the glass broke. When you [Suryakumar Yadav] came and told me, then I got to know. Sorry for that!”
Rinku made a 39-ball 68 in the game as India posted 180-7 in 19.3 overs before rain curtailed the innings. He was helped by Suryakumar Yadav, who also scored a half-century, his 17th in T20Is.
For South Africa, Gerald Coetzee picked three wickets for 32 runs while Tabraiz Shamsi was the most economical bowler, giving away just 18 from his four overs for a wicket.
In response, South Africa got off to a flier, reaching 96 by the end of eight overs. Their target was revised to 152 from 15 overs after a mid-innings rain-break, and despite a late stutter, they finished it off easily with more than an over and five wickets to spare.
Rinku apologises for breaking window:
Maiden international FIFTY 👌
Chat with captain @surya_14kumar 💬
… and that glass-breaking SIX 😉@rinkusingh235 sums up his thoughts post the 2⃣nd #SAvIND T20I 🎥🔽 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/Ee8GY7eObW— BCCI (@BCCI) December 13, 2023