The 28-year-old batsman’s father, Khanchand Singh, passed away on Friday morning after a prolonged battle with liver cancer.
Chennai, India: In a heartbreaking turn of events, Indian cricketer Rinku Singh has temporarily left the T20 World Cup squad following the death of his father, Khanchand Singh, official sources confirmed on Friday.
The senior Singh, who had been battling liver cancer for an extended period, passed away at a hospital on the outskirts of New Delhi.
A Difficult Departure Mid-Tournament
The middle-order batter had only recently rejoined the team ahead of Thursday’s Super Eights victory against Zimbabwe in Chennai. Although he did not feature in the playing XI during that match, his departure now leaves an emotional void in the squad as they push for a semi-final berth.
An attacking left-hander, the 28-year-old Singh rose to prominence as a finisher for his Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, the Kolkata Knight Riders, before cementing his place in the national T20 setup. His journey has been one of immense grit, with viral videos of his father delivering gas cylinders emerging after his India debut in 2023, highlighting the family’s humble background.
Cricket Fraternity Offers Condolences
As news of the tragedy spread, heartfelt tributes poured in from former cricketers and teammates.
In an emotional post on X (formerly Twitter), former spinner Harbhajan Singh wrote:
“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.”
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli also shared a poignant message:
“Deeply saddened by the news of Rinku’s father’s demise. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you always find strength in his eternal blessings. Om Shanti.”
What’s Next for Team India?
On the cricketing front, India secured a dominant 72-run victory over Zimbabwe, setting up a crucial winner-takes-all clash against the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday. The winner of that match will join South Africa in qualifying for the semi-finals from Group 1.
The team is now scheduled to travel to Kolkata for the high-stakes encounter, though it remains unclear when Rinku Singh will rejoin the squad as he mourns his loss with family.
