India cricketer Rinku Singh had a landmark day on Tuesday, marked by two major developments in his career. He was first named vice-captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of IPL 2026, and soon after, received an appointment as a Regional Sports Officer (RSO) from the Uttar Pradesh government.

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The appointment letter was handed over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, recognising Rinku's contributions to Indian cricket and his achievements on the international stage.

Recognition for sporting achievements

Rinku has emerged as a key performer for KKR with his finishing ability and fielding skills. He was also part of the Indian team that won the 2026 T20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand in the final in Ahmedabad. This marked India's third title in the tournament after earlier wins in 2007 and 2024.

Praising the cricketer, CM Yogi was quoted as saying by The Times of India, "UP is the first state in the country to give athletes priority in government service. So far, we have provided appointment letters to over 500 athletes for various police positions... For his performance in cricket and the Asian Games, Rinku Singh has been given an appointment letter as a Regional Sports Officer. He is already a part of a camp (KKR camp in the IPL), so he has gone there. Many other players have also got appointment letters here today."

What does the role involve?

A Regional Sports Officer is a Class-2 gazetted post. The role involves promoting sports activities, managing sports infrastructure such as stadiums, and supporting the development of emerging athletes across the region.

Rinku will now take on administrative responsibilities alongside his ongoing cricket career, contributing to sports development in Uttar Pradesh.

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Salary and career journey

As per available details, the salary for a Regional Sports Officer is expected to range between Rs 70,000 and Rs 80,000, informed TOI.

Rinku rose to prominence during IPL 2023 when he hit five consecutive sixes in the final over against Gujarat Titans' Yash Dayal, sealing a memorable win for KKR. Since then, he has been part of India’s successes, including the Asian Games gold medal, the Asia Cup, and the T20 World Cup.