India cricketer Rinku Singh gets engaged to MP Priya Saroj in Lucknow-OxBig News Network

Star India batter Rinku Singh began a new chapter off the field as he got engaged to Member of Parliament Priya Saroj in a private ceremony on June 8 at The Centrum Hotel in Lucknow. The intimate event was attended by close family members, friends, and select guests from the worlds of politics and cricket.

Before the ceremony, Rinku, accompanied by his family, visited the Chaudhera Wali Vichitra Devi Temple in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh, to seek blessings. The couple arrived at the venue together, dressed in coordinated white and pink outfits.

The engagement took place in Fulcurn Hall, adorned with floral decorations and vibrant lighting. With a capacity of over 300, it welcomed an elite guest list that included several notable names from cricket and politics. A video from the event has surfaced, capturing a tender moment in which the couple was seen holding hands.

The engagement was graced by a host of distinguished guests: former cricketers Praveen Kumar and Piyush Chawla, Uttar Pradesh Ranji team captain Aryan Juyal, and political leaders including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, MPs Jaya Bachchan, Dimple Yadav, and Iqra Hasan — a close friend of Priya. Senior Samajwadi Party leader Professor Ram Gopal Yadav and Congress leader Rajeev Shukla were also in attendance.

A grand 12×16-foot stage served as the centrepiece of the venue. The menu, inspired by traditional Lucknowi cuisine, was specially curated by the couple. Guests were treated to an all-vegetarian spread blending regional and global flavours. Awadhi delicacies were paired with Bengali sweets like rasgulla and kaju-paneer rolls with a variety of international starters — from European to Asian.

Live counters served a unique welcome drink named kuhara, a coconut-based speciality. Rinku’s personal favourites — paneer tikka and matar malai — featured prominently on the menu, alongside malai kofta, kadai paneer, veg manchurian, and spring rolls.

To accommodate guests, 15 rooms were booked at The Centrum, with five specially reserved for Rinku’s closest friends. Security was tight, with access permitted only to those carrying barcoded passes. A team of private security personnel, supported by local police, maintained high alert throughout the event to ensure the safety of all VIP attendees.

On the professional front, Rinku had a relatively quiet IPL 2025 season with the Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 206 runs at an average of 29.42 and a strike rate of 153.73. The team finished eighth on the points table with 12 points and a net run rate of -0.305, winning just five of their 14 matches.

Despite a subdued IPL campaign, Rinku remains a key member of India’s T20I squad. In 30 T20 Internationals, he has scored 507 runs from 22 innings at an average of 46.09 and a strike rate of 165.14, including three half-centuries. The 27-year-old made his debut in the format against Ireland in 2023 and continues to pursue his maiden international hundred.

Rinku has also represented India in two One-Day Internationals and boasts a strong domestic record. In 52 List A innings, he has amassed 1,899 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 94.8.