India batter Rinku Singh’s father, Khachandra Singh, passed away on February 27 after a prolonged battle with stage 4 liver cancer. He breathed his last at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida, where he had been undergoing treatment in recent days as his condition deteriorated.
Khachandra Singh had been on ventilator support and was receiving continuous renal therapy as doctors attempted to stabilise him. Despite intensive care, his health declined rapidly.
The heartbreaking development came while Rinku was with the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. After initially travelling home when his father’s condition worsened ahead of India’s Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe, Rinku had rejoined the squad in Chennai.
However, India Today has learnt that the 28-year-old has now left the team camp again after being informed of his father’s demise and has travelled to Aligarh to be with his family.
His father had been battling liver cancer for some time, but the illness progressed sharply in recent weeks, eventually leading to hospitalisation.
PERSONAL LOSS AMID WORLD CUP DUTY
Rinku was not part of India’s playing XI for the Zimbabwe fixture as the team reshuffled its combination for the must-win game. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel were brought in to adjust the balance, with Samson reinstated at the top, Ishan Kishan moving down the order, and Tilak Varma assigned finishing duties.
Although he did not feature in the XI, Rinku remained involved with the squad and took the field as a substitute during the match.
So far in the tournament, Rinku has played five matches and scored 24 runs, contributing in his designated finishing role.
WILL RINKU PLAY REMAINING WORLD CUP FIXTURES?
With India set to face the West Indies in a decisive clash in Kolkata, uncertainty now surrounds Rinku’s availability for the remainder of the tournament.
It remains unclear whether the 28-year-old will play any further part in India’s remaining T20 World Cup 2026 fixtures, with no official update yet from the BCCI or team management regarding his participation.
As India prepare for a virtual knockout, the squad will also rally around their teammate during this difficult personal moment.
