Rinku Singh’s rise is remarkable. From a modest background, he changed his family’s fortunes. His fame soared in 2023 after hitting five sixes off Yash Dayal in an IPL chase, which earned him a national call-up and a regular spot in India’s T20I side.

In a recent conversation on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Rinku Singh reflected on his tough childhood and revealed that a monkey attack impacted him physically.

“The worst bite I ever got was during the rainy season. Back then, our house didn’t have a washroom, so we used to go to the fields. One day, I was heading there with my brother and a friend, carrying an umbrella. Suddenly, someone shouted from behind, ‘The monkey is here,’” Rinku said.

“Monkey came from behind, pinned me down, and kept biting and tore a lot of flesh. Hardly anyone was around to help. My brother tried throwing stones, but the monkey wouldn’t let go. It bit me very badly,” Rinku added.

Known for his explosive lower-order batting, Rinku often plays vital cameos that help his team set big totals or chase targets. Lately, though, he has drawn criticism for a dip in form, managing just one half-century in his last 13 T20I innings.

The left-hander has been named in India’s 15-man Asia Cup squad, but doubts remain over whether he will feature in the starting XI.