India batter Rinku Singh has left the Indian camp and returned home due to a family emergency. India Today has learnt that Rinku’s father, Khanchand Singh, is in a serious condition and has been admitted to a local hospital in Greater Noida.
Rinku travelled with the Indian team to Chennai on Monday, February 23, a day after India’s Super 8 clash. Sources told India Today TV that the left-hander left Chennai early on Tuesday morning to attend to his father, who is on ventilator.
He is unlikely to play the team’s match against Zimbabwe on February 26. Rinku was unavailable for practice on Tuesday evening following the development.
INDIA FACE ZIMBABWE IN CHENNAI
Rinku’s forced exit from the team comes at a crucial time. After losing to South Africa in their first Super 8 match, India are facing the threat of an early exit from the tournament. India are set to play a tricky Zimbabwe side, who downed former champions Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage to qualify for the Super 8.
The Sikandar Raza-led side lost to the West Indies in their first Super 8 match and will be looking to improve their record in their next game.
In case Rinku is not available for the match, India can directly slot in Axar Patel for his position. The Indian vice-captain did not play against South Africa, a decision by the team management that was heavily criticised by experts and fans alike.
South Africa snapped India’s 12-match unbeaten streak in the ongoing T20 World Cup with a 76-run win in their Super 8 opener in Ahmedabad. The defeat not only ended India’s run but also dealt a significant blow to their Net Run Rate, leaving the defending champions in danger of missing out on a semi-final spot. As things stand, India need to win both their remaining matches by big margins to keep their hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals alive.
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