Shri Khanchand Singh, father of Indian cricketer Rinku Singh passed away at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida after battling stage-four cancer. The news was confirmed by PRO of hospital, bringing an outpouring of condolences from across the cricketing fraternity.
Earlier in the T20 World Cup tournament, Rinku Singh had briefly left squad of India to be with his father after his condition worsened following India’s first Super 8 fixture against South Africa. The left -hander returned swiftly to Chennai to rejoin the Indian squad ahead of the Zimbabwe clash despite the emotional strain.
However, in the playing XI against Zimbabwe, Rinku Singh did not feature, with the team opting for Sanju Samson to open alongside Abhishek Sharma. Rinku’s absence came just hours before the heart-breaking news emerged.
In a heartfelt message on X, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed his condolences. ” Pained to learn about the demise of Shri Khanchand Singh ji, father of Rinku Singh. This must be an especially difficult time for Rinku and his family, even as he remains committed to his responsibilities during the T20 World Cup. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with him and his loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength and courage to the bereaved family.” Singh wrote.
During India vs Zimbabwe T20 World Cup 2026 super 8 encounter, with the support of blazing fifty of Abhishek Sharma and a rapid half-century of Hardik Pandya India thrashed Zimbabwe by 72 runs to stay alive in the T20 World Cup Super Eight race on Thursday. India posted a mammoth 256 for tour which was their highest-ever T20 World Cup total and the highest in T20 World Cup 2026 edition – after recovering from a heavy 76- run defeat to South Africa.
For the final Super 8 clash against West Indies, India will next travel to Kolkata, but for Rinku, cricket momentarily takes a backseat as he mourns an irreplaceable loss.
