Rinku Singh Loses Father Amid T20 World Cup Campaign

New Delhi, Feb 2026 : India middle-order batter Rinku Singh suffered a personal loss on Friday as his father, Khanchand Singh, passed away after a prolonged battle with stage-4 liver cancer. The news was confirmed by former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who shared a condolence message on social media, expressing grief and solidarity with the cricketer and his family during an emotionally testing phase.

“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. He also offered prayers for the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family, highlighting the resilience required of athletes competing amid personal adversity.

Rinku’s father had been on ventilator support at a hospital in Greater Noida and was reported to be in a critical condition earlier this week. The seriousness of the situation prompted Rinku to briefly leave the national squad and return home to be with his family. Despite the setback, the 26-year-old batter rejoined the Indian camp in time for the Super Eight clash against Zimbabwe, reflecting his commitment to the team even in the face of personal tragedy.

However, Rinku did not feature in the playing XI for that match, with Sanju Samson being preferred in the middle order. Rinku still contributed on the field, taking part as a substitute fielder as India registered a crucial victory to stay alive in the tournament.

A last-minute addition to India’s T20 World Cup squad, Rinku has so far struggled to make a significant impact with the bat. He has managed 24 runs across five innings, including a dismissal for a duck against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The numbers underline a challenging campaign for a player who has otherwise built a reputation for finishing games under pressure.

Following their win over Zimbabwe, India now head to Kolkata for their final Super Eight encounter against the West Indies. The match is being billed as a virtual quarterfinal, with the winner securing a place in the semifinals. As the Men in Blue prepare for a high-stakes contest, Rinku Singh’s courage in balancing professional duty with profound personal loss has drawn widespread sympathy and respect from the cricketing fraternity.