Grief has cast a shadow over India’s T20 World Cup campaign as batter Rinku Singh left the squad following the death of his father on Friday morning.
According to Indian news agency Press Trust of India (PTI), Rinku’s father, Khanchand Singh, passed away after battling liver cancer. He breathed his last at a hospital on the outskirts of Delhi. Upon receiving the news, the 28-year-old cricketer immediately departed the team camp to be with his family.
Rinku had recently rejoined the squad ahead of India’s Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe but did not feature in the playing XI in Chennai. On the field, India delivered a dominant performance, defeating Zimbabwe by 72 runs to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Off the field, however, the tournament came to a sudden halt for the left-handed batter.
Known for his finishing abilities, Rinku rose to prominence in the IPL with the Kolkata Knight Riders before making his India debut in 2023. His journey from a modest background to international cricket has often inspired fans.
A video that went viral after his national debut showed his father delivering gas cylinders door to door — a reminder of the sacrifices behind Rinku’s success. That hardworking father, who supported his son’s cricketing dreams, is now being remembered across the cricketing world.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed his condolences on social media, writing, “This is undoubtedly a very difficult time for Rinku and his family.”
As India continue their World Cup campaign, the cricket fraternity has rallied around the young batter during this deeply personal loss.
