Rinku Singh’s Ranji Masterclass: How His 165* Surpassed Dravid & Jaiswal’s First-Class Averages

Rinku Singh’s Ranji Masterclass: A Knock for the Ages

Rinku Singh has officially announced his arrival as a red-ball force to be reckoned with. In Uttar Pradesh’s opening match of the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 against Andhra, the left-handed batter played a career-defining innings of an unbeaten 165. But this wasn’t just another century; it was a performance that catapulted him into the elite company of Indian batting greats, statistically surpassing legends like Rahul Dravid and the current sensation, Yashasvi Jaiswal.

From Crisis to Command: The Innings Breakdown

When Rinku walked out to bat, Uttar Pradesh was in deep trouble. His response? A masterclass in discipline, grit, and calculated aggression. Over 273 balls, he struck 13 fours and 2 sixes, posting a monumental 165 not out . His knock was the bedrock of UP’s first-innings lead, which ultimately secured them three crucial points from a drawn fixture .

What truly set this innings apart was his ability to shepherd the tail. He forged vital partnerships for the 7th and 8th wickets, showcasing a maturity that has often been questioned in his T20-heavy career . Andhra’s captain threw eight different bowlers at him, but Rinku remained unmoved .

Rinku Singh’s Historic First-Class Average: The New Benchmark

This incredible knock did more than just save his team; it rewrote the record books. Rinku’s average in first-class cricket has now soared to a staggering 57.39 . This figure is not just impressive; it’s historic.

How Rinku Compares to the Greats

To put this in perspective, let’s look at the averages of some of India’s finest:

Batter	First-Class Average
Rinku Singh	57.39
Rahul Dravid	55.01
Yashasvi Jaiswal	68.80
Sachin Tendulkar	57.11

Yes, you read that right. Rinku Singh’s current first-class average is now higher than the legendary Rahul Dravid’s career average of 55.01 . While Yashasvi Jaiswal’s average remains a phenomenal 68.80 , Rinku has officially joined a very select group of Indian batters with a career average above 57.

What This Means for Rinku Singh’s Future

This innings is a powerful statement. It proves that Rinku Singh is not just a T20 finisher but a complete batter with the temperament and technique for the longer format. With over 3,500 first-class runs and eight centuries to his name , his credentials for a potential Test call-up are becoming harder to ignore. In a team that’s always looking for a reliable middle-order anchor, Rinku’s red-ball prowess could be the answer.

Sources

• Times of India: Ranji Trophy: Rinku surpasses Dravid and Jaiswal, hits career best unbeaten 165