MP Priya reflects on three-year wait before engagement to Rinku, says it was worth every second
Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj took to social media to post a heartwarming message after getting engaged to Indian cricketer Rinku Singh and reflected on the long road they had to take to get here.
The engagement took place on Sunday in Lucknow with their wedding date locked in for November 18 at the Taj Hotel in Varanasi.
"This day has been in our hearts for so long — almost three years — and the wait was worth every second. Engaged — with full hearts and a forever to go," posted Priya Saroj on her 'X' account.
Besides the families of Rinku and Priya, several prominent leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, Jaya Bachchan along with Ram Gopal Yadav and Shivpal Yadav, attended the ceremony.
Board of Control of Cricket India (BCC) vice-president Rajeev Shukla was also present at the ceremony to extend his best wishes to the couple.
However, several of Rinku's teammates couldn't make it to his engagement celebration, as the Indian Test squad has already departed for England ahead of the Test series starting June 20.
Former India cricketer Praveen Kumar was in attendance and extended his heartfelt wishes to the couple on their special day.
Rinku Singh, Priya Saroj with family members and friends during their engagement ceremony. Photo / X
Rinku, hailing from Aligarh, has played two ODIs and 33 T20Is for India in the last couple of years and is an important member of the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, who lifted the title in the 2024 season.
The 26-year-old Priya is a first-time MP from Jaunpur's Machhlishahr constituency. Priya, a practising advocate, is known for her legal acumen and youthful energy. She is among India's youngest MPs.
Hailing from Karkhiyaon village in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, she has continued her father's legacy with her career in politics.
Her father, Tufani Saroj, is a three-time MP and current MLA from UP's Kerakat. Priya began her career as a politician in 2024 after she was elected as the MP of Machhlishahr after defeating BJP veteran BP Saroj by over 35,000 votes.
Indo-Asian News Service
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
2 hours ago
- Al Etihad
Young badminton players do UAE proud in Spain
10 June 2025 00:15 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)The teen members of the UAE Junior badminton team notched memorable performances while representing the country over the weekend in Alicante, Spain.A haul of five medals – two golds, two silvers and one bronze – at the Spanish International Under-19 Championship at the Pabellon Municipal Centre courts propelled the UAE to dominate the podium in three out of the five categories and finished ahead of badminton powerhouses such as Germany, Thailand, and the Men's Singles, days after turning 15, Riyan Malhan overcame some nervous moments but moved from strength to strength against higher-ranked and older opponents before eventually taking the gold in a proud achievement for the Dubai-born Indian teen."Winning the Spanish International U19 is a dream come true," said Malhan in a message from Spain. "I'm grateful to my coaches, teammates, and the UAE Badminton Federation for believing in me. This is just the beginning – I'll keep working harder to make my country proud on the world stage."The prodigy had also made history last year by becoming the first player from the UAE and West Asia to clinch a medal, bronze, at the Badminton Asia U17 & U15 Junior Championships in Chengdu, China. His father was a state-level player in India before moving to the UAE many years back as an this is not enough, there is more promising talent in the pipeline as was evident when his compatriot, Adam Jeslin, who is yet to turn 15, showcased equal resilience and skill to earn the silver medal behind the Women's Singles, there was familiarity on the honours board where Prakriti Bharath lived up to her second-seed billing with an emphatic, undefeated run to defend her title."Standing on top of the podium means more than just a win; it is a reward for every early morning and every tough training session. I'm proud to represent the UAE and hope this inspires more girls back home to chase their badminton dreams," Prakriti said on her successive title from the Spanish tournament. In doing so, she overcame her teammate Mysha Omer in the finals, who fought valiantly to bring home the to the medal count, the new pairing of Jeslin and Omer, 17, brought home a respectable bronze in the Mixed Doubles category, given their ages and mixed experience. Omer had won the women's doubles bronze last year with Taaiba with the raw talent of Jeslin, the experienced Omer still had to impress to stun the second-seeded German pair of Alexander Zhang and Aurelia Wulandoko though they could not prevent the latter from taking the silver. The UAE mixed pair then bowed out from the semi-final stage, losing to the eventual champions and Thailand's siblings, Tonkid Saeheng and Tonrug marked improvement in the performances is a reflection of the robust infrastructure and vision laid out by the UAE Badminton High-Performance Department, led by Michael Norbek as Performance Director. With strategic support from the UAE Ministry of Sports and development programmes such as "Road to Dakar 2026" and "Pathway to Los Angeles 2028", UAE's young shuttlers are firmly stepping onto the global stage. "To stand atop the medal tally in a field that includes Europe's and Asia's finest is a proud moment for UAE badminton. These results reflect our belief that excellence is achievable with the right support and hard work," a statement from UAE Badminton Federation President Noura Al Jasmi said. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Gulf Today
5 hours ago
- Gulf Today
MP Priya reflects on three-year wait before engagement to Rinku, says it was worth every second
Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj took to social media to post a heartwarming message after getting engaged to Indian cricketer Rinku Singh and reflected on the long road they had to take to get here. The engagement took place on Sunday in Lucknow with their wedding date locked in for November 18 at the Taj Hotel in Varanasi. "This day has been in our hearts for so long — almost three years — and the wait was worth every second. Engaged — with full hearts and a forever to go," posted Priya Saroj on her 'X' account. Besides the families of Rinku and Priya, several prominent leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Dimple Yadav, Jaya Bachchan along with Ram Gopal Yadav and Shivpal Yadav, attended the ceremony. Board of Control of Cricket India (BCC) vice-president Rajeev Shukla was also present at the ceremony to extend his best wishes to the couple. However, several of Rinku's teammates couldn't make it to his engagement celebration, as the Indian Test squad has already departed for England ahead of the Test series starting June 20. Former India cricketer Praveen Kumar was in attendance and extended his heartfelt wishes to the couple on their special day. Rinku Singh, Priya Saroj with family members and friends during their engagement ceremony. Photo / X Rinku, hailing from Aligarh, has played two ODIs and 33 T20Is for India in the last couple of years and is an important member of the IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, who lifted the title in the 2024 season. The 26-year-old Priya is a first-time MP from Jaunpur's Machhlishahr constituency. Priya, a practising advocate, is known for her legal acumen and youthful energy. She is among India's youngest MPs. Hailing from Karkhiyaon village in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, she has continued her father's legacy with her career in politics. Her father, Tufani Saroj, is a three-time MP and current MLA from UP's Kerakat. Priya began her career as a politician in 2024 after she was elected as the MP of Machhlishahr after defeating BJP veteran BP Saroj by over 35,000 votes. Indo-Asian News Service
Int'l Cricket Council
6 hours ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
MS Dhoni: A captain, wicketkeeper and batter beyond numbers
Celebrated for his calm under pressure and unmatched tactical nous, but also a trailblazer in the shorter formats, MS Dhoni's legacy as one of the game's greatest finishers, leaders and wicketkeepers has been honoured with his induction into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. With 17,266 international runs, 829 dismissals and 538 matches across formats for India, Dhoni's numbers reflect not just excellence but extraordinary consistency, fitness and longevity. Reacting to his presence in the august company, the former India skipper stated that this honour would stay with him forever. "It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world. To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever." India's Captain Cool | MS Dhoni | ICC Hall of Fame When Dhoni broke into the national team in 2004, few could have foreseen just how profoundly the then 23-year-old would go on to redefine the role of a wicketkeeper-batter. It wasn't a question of talent, that was evident, but rather how much of an outlier he appeared compared to his predecessors. His glove work defied convention. Dhoni's technique behind the stumps was unorthodox, yet extraordinarily effective. He turned wicketkeeping into an art form of its own, affecting run-outs off deflections, completing stumpings in the blink of an eye, and pulling off catches with a style all his own. With the bat, he brought brute force and power-hitting to the wicketkeeper-batter's role that was traditionally reserved for steady, lower-order contributors. At a time when Indian wicketkeepers were expected to play it safe, Dhoni came out swinging, both literally and metaphorically. It wasn't the smoothest of starts in Dhoni's international career; his ODI debut in December 2004 ended with a run-out for a duck but it didn't take long for him to make an impression. Promoted up the order against Pakistan in Visakhapatnam in April 2005, he lit up the stage with a blistering 148 off 123 balls, a knock that announced his arrival to India and the world. The legacy of MS Dhoni "He played a brand of cricket that was admired and respected by all." Harsha Bhogle, Tom Moody, Ian Bishop and Shaun Pollock on the incredible MS Dhoni and his legacy. Just a few months later, in October, Dhoni delivered another unforgettable performance. Once again promoted in the batting order, this time against Sri Lanka in Jaipur, he unleashed a whirlwind 183* off 145 deliveries, studded with 15 fours and 10 sixes. The innings remains the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper in men's ODIs to this day. It was also the highest score in a successful run chase at the time, offering an early glimpse into the calm, calculated finisher Dhoni would go on to become. And thus began the story of one of Indian cricket's most iconic careers, a journey marked by unconventional brilliance, unflinching composure, and an uncanny ability to deliver when it mattered most. "In the air, Sreesanth takes it!" | FINAL – Ind v Pak | T20WC 2007 Extended highlights: A young Indian side led by MS Dhoni lifted the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup trophy after an exhilarating final against Pakistan. The match went all the way to the last over, with Misbah-ul-Haq at the crease. What followed re MS Dhoni's early performances had already marked him out as a player of composure and clarity. It was enough for the selectors to take a bold call and hand him the captaincy for the inaugural ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2007. The timing was delicate. India had endured a disappointing exit in the group stage of the 50-over World Cup earlier that year, and the squad for the T20 edition was a young, largely untested group, missing many of the senior stalwarts of Indian cricket. Expectations were modest where India were far from tournament favourites. But under Dhoni's leadership, a new generation of players emerged – Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, Robin Uthappa, Dinesh Karthik, among others – all playing fearless cricket That approach paid off spectacularly. India went on to lift the trophy, beating arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling final and etching their names in history as the first T20 World Champions. India came close to victory in the subsequent editions under Dhoni's captaincy, including an appearance in the final of the 2014 edition and semi-finals of 2016. The victory not only sparked a new era of Indian cricket but confirmed that the future of its leadership was in safe hands. What followed was a period of sustained success across formats and the rise of Dhoni as one of the most influential captains the game has ever seen. MS Dhoni: A tribute MS Dhoni, the former India captain, announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing to a close a stellar career of 16 years. India's rise under Dhoni's leadership wasn't limited to white-ball cricket; it extended seamlessly into the red-ball arena as well. Under his captaincy in December 2009, India reached the summit of Test cricket, claiming the No.1 spot in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings for the first time since its inception in 2003. As a batter, Dhoni continued to defy convention, even more so in the Test format. His unorthodox technique and aggressive instincts seemed ill-suited to the patience and precision Test cricket demanded. Yet, time and again, he found a way to make it work. He didn't take long to stamp his presence in the longest format. In just his fifth Test match, against arch-rivals Pakistan in Faisalabad, Dhoni hammered a counter-attacking 148 off 153 balls. MS Dhoni celebrates his stunning century in Faisalabad // Getty Images A year later, he proved he could thrive in testing conditions too. At Lord's, Dhoni walked out early on the final day with India reeling at 145/5. In challenging conditions, he scored a gritty 76* and stitched together a crucial 86-run partnership with VVS Laxman. Even after Laxman's dismissal, Dhoni stood firm with the tail to secure a hard-fought draw, which helped India seal a rare series win in England, their first in the country since 1986. Among Dhoni's many memorable batting contributions in whites, none stood taller than his lone double-century, which came in 2013 at his adopted home ground in Chennai. Australia had posted a formidable 380 in the first innings and India found themselves under pressure at 196/4 when Dhoni walked out to bat. But what followed was one of the most iconic innings by an Indian wicketkeeper-batter where Dhoni unleashed a brutal 224, his highest Test score. Built on vital century partnerships with Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Dhoni took India to a decisive 192-run lead, and his innings proved to be the turning point of the match. Throughout his Test career, Dhoni faced numerous trials and tribulations both as a batter and captain until he called it quits in 2014. Yet, time and again, by fight or flight, he always found a way. Few in Indian or world cricket can lay claim to having redefined the ODI format quite like MS Dhoni – whether as a finisher, captain or wicketkeeper. It didn't take long for him to make his mark. In just his 40th ODI, Dhoni rose to the top of the ICC Men's ODI Batting Rankings, becoming the fastest player to ever achieve the No.1 spot, a record that still stands today. Dhoni's ODI legacy is studded with records, including the most stumpings in the format (123), the highest individual score by a wicketkeeper (183*), and the most matches as captain for India (200), to name a few. But the crowning moment of his career came in 2011, when he led India to World Cup glory after a 28-year wait. Despite a relatively quiet tournament with the bat, Dhoni rose to the occasion when it mattered most. On the night of the final against Sri Lanka, he made a bold call to promote himself to No.4, a decision that would go down in Indian cricketing folklore. Walking in at 114/3 with the final delicately balanced, Dhoni joined forces with Gautam Gambhir to stitch a vital 109-run stand, steadying the chase and taking India to the brink of glory. 2011 CWC | MS Dhoni's match-winning six in the final against Sri Lanka Then, in trademark MS Dhoni fashion, he sealed the win with a towering six over long-on, a shot now etched in Indian cricketing history, sparking celebrations across the country and ending a 28-year wait for the World Cup. He would go on to add another major title to his name, guiding India to the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. In a tense, rain-curtailed final against England, Dhoni's tactical acumen came to the fore once again, helping India lift the trophy and earning him the rare honour of being the only captain to win all three ICC men's white-ball titles. Even in his final international appearance at the 2019 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, Dhoni was, as he so often had been, India's last hope. His run-out in the semi-final against New Zealand, a moment that broke a billion hearts, would prove to be his final act on the international stage. Though his retirement came more than a year later, the silence that followed that dismissal felt like the closing chapter of an era. But by then, MS Dhoni had already etched himself into the fabric of Indian cricket, leaving behind memories and milestones that will be remembered for generations. ICC - Hall of FameNewsMen's NewsMS Dhoni
