Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand Singh, died on Friday after battling Stage 4 cancer for nearly a year. He was undergoing treatment at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida. Earlier this week, his condition worsened, and he was put on ventilator support.
The update was shared by former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who offered condolences to the grieving family. Rinku, 28, had briefly left the Indian camp ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai due to his father’s health. He returned in time for the game but did not feature in the playing XI, with Sanju Samson preferred.
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Hindustan Times Digital reported that Rinku has now flown back home to be with his family and is expected to rejoin the squad before the final Super 8 fixture against the West Indies.
“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,” Harbhajan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“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,” he added.
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.
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 27, 2026
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with him…
A father’s sacrifice
Khanchand Singh played a crucial role in shaping Rinku’s cricket journey. He worked as an LPG cylinder deliveryman in Aligarh and, despite financial struggles, ensured his son had the support needed to pursue cricket. Last year, Rinku had gifted his father a Kawasaki Ninja bike worth ₹3.19 lakh.
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India beat Zimbabwe
Though Rinku did not play against Zimbabwe, he was seen on the field as a substitute fielder. India won the match by 72 runs after posting 256/4, with half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya. Zimbabwe were restricted to 184/6, with Arshdeep Singh taking three wickets and Brian Bennett scoring an unbeaten 97.
India next face West Indies in a virtual quarter-final on March 1 at Eden Gardens.
