The cricketing fraternity was left heartbroken on February 27 as Indian batter Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand (Khachandra) Singh, passed away after a prolonged battle with Stage 4 liver cancer. The tragic news came at a time when the 28-year-old cricketer was with the Indian squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup, forcing him to once again leave the team camp and rush back home to Aligarh to be with his grieving family.

Khanchand Singh breathed his last at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida, where he had been undergoing treatment in recent days as his health deteriorated rapidly. According to hospital officials, he had been admitted on February 21 after his condition worsened significantly. Despite being placed on ventilator support and receiving continuous renal therapy in an effort to stabilize him, doctors were unable to reverse the damage caused by advanced-stage liver cancer.

Dr. Sunil Kumar, spokesperson of Yatharth Hospital, confirmed the development, stating that Khanchand Singh had been on ventilator support for the past few days before passing away early on Friday morning. Family sources also shared that he had been battling liver cancer for some time, but the disease progressed sharply in recent weeks, ultimately leading to his hospitalisation and critical care support.

Rinku Singh Leaves T20 World Cup Camp

The devastating news reached Rinku Singh while he was part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign. Earlier in the tournament, he had briefly travelled home when his father’s condition worsened following India’s Super 8 fixture against South Africa. Demonstrating immense professionalism amid personal turmoil, the left-handed batter rejoined the Indian squad in Chennai ahead of their clash against Zimbabwe on February 26.

However, following confirmation of his father’s demise, Rinku has now left the team camp once again and travelled to Aligarh. His availability for the remainder of the tournament remains uncertain, with no official update from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or the team management regarding whether he will return for the remaining fixtures.

India are set to face the West Indies in a crucial, virtual knockout clash in Kolkata, but cricket understandably takes a backseat during this deeply painful moment for the young batter. The Indian squad is expected to rally around their teammate as he copes with the profound loss of the man he has always described as his biggest pillar of strength.

Tournament Role and Zimbabwe Clash

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Rinku Singh has played five matches, scoring 24 runs while performing his designated finishing role. Although his returns with the bat have been modest, he remained an integral part of the squad’s balance and plans.

For the must-win encounter against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Rinku was not included in the playing XI. The team management opted to reshuffle combinations to strengthen their approach. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel were brought into the side to adjust the balance. Samson was reinstated at the top of the order, Ishan Kishan moved down the batting lineup, and Tilak Varma was assigned finishing responsibilities.

Despite not featuring in the XI, Rinku remained actively involved with the team and even took the field as a substitute during the match, which India won convincingly. His commitment to team duties, even while dealing with his father’s deteriorating health, reflected his professionalism and resilience.

Harbhajan Singh and Cricket Fraternity Pay Tribute

The news of Khanchand Singh’s passing was confirmed publicly by former India spinner Harbhajan Singh. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Harbhajan expressed his heartfelt 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,” he wrote.

He further added, “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.”

Rinku’s former coach, Masood Amini, also confirmed the passing and revealed that Khanchand Singh had been on ventilator support for the last three to four days before his death. Tributes and messages of solidarity poured in from across the cricketing world, as players, fans, and officials stood united in support of the grieving cricketer.

A Father’s Sacrifice Behind Rinku Singh’s Rise

Beyond the headlines of the T20 World Cup, the story of Rinku Singh and his father is one of sacrifice, struggle, and unwavering belief.

A resident of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, Khanchand Singh worked in gas cylinder distribution as an LPG delivery man. The family faced significant financial challenges, but he continued to support his son’s dream of becoming a professional cricketer. His role in shaping Rinku’s journey from a modest background to representing India on the international stage was immense.

In earlier interviews, Rinku had candidly spoken about the tough times during his childhood. He once recalled that his father would scold and even hit him whenever he caught him playing cricket, fearing that it might distract him from earning a stable livelihood. “Father would hit us whenever he found us playing cricket,” Rinku had shared, adding that his mother was comparatively more supportive.

His mother once borrowed Rs 1000 from a neighbouring shop so that Rinku could travel to Kanpur for a tournament—an act that underscored the family’s belief in his talent despite limited means.

A defining moment came during a schools’ tournament final where Rinku was adjudged Man of the Match and was gifted a motorbike as a prize. His father had come to watch that final. “He must have realised I was doing something good as he never hit me again for playing cricket,” Rinku had said in a touching recollection.

Over time, as Rinku’s performances began to attract attention, his father became one of his strongest supporters. It was a full-circle moment last year when Rinku gifted his father a Kawasaki Ninja bike worth Rs 3.19 lakh—a symbol of gratitude from a son who had made it big against all odds.

Personal Milestones Amid Illness

Despite battling illness, Khanchand Singh made it a point to attend significant milestones in his son’s life. In a particularly emotional moment last year, he was present at Rinku’s engagement ceremony in Lucknow. The cricketer is engaged to Samajwadi Party MP Priya Saroj, and his father’s attendance at the ceremony, even while undergoing treatment, was a testament to his deep love and pride.

Family sources have confirmed that the last rites will be performed in Aligarh, with Rinku expected to attend and perform the final rituals.

Uncertainty Over Rinku Singh’s Return

As India prepare for their crucial clash against the West Indies in Kolkata, uncertainty looms over Rinku Singh’s participation in the remaining T20 World Cup 2026 fixtures. No official statement has yet been issued by the BCCI regarding whether he will rejoin the squad or be granted extended leave.

While the team continues its campaign, the focus for Rinku remains firmly on his family. For a player who has risen through hardship and credited his father as his guiding force, this loss marks one of the most challenging phases of his life.

Cricket Takes a Backseat

Moments like these serve as a stark reminder that beyond the glamour of international cricket lie deeply human stories. For Rinku Singh, the journey from the narrow lanes of Aligarh to representing India on the global stage was built on the sacrifices of his parents—particularly a father who worked tirelessly in gas cylinder distribution to keep his son’s dreams alive.

Now, as the cricketing world stands in solidarity with him, the spotlight shifts from boundaries and scorecards to empathy and support. The loss of Khanchand Singh is not just a personal tragedy for Rinku but a reminder of the countless unseen struggles that shape sporting heroes.

As tributes continue to pour in and India push ahead in their T20 World Cup campaign, one thing is certain: Rinku Singh will carry forward his father’s legacy every time he steps onto the field again.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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