Rinku Singh Plays on Despite Father's Death, Puts Team Duty Above Personal Grief

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand Singh, passed away on Friday after a battle with stage-four cancer. He had been undergoing treatment at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida, and his condition deteriorated earlier this week, eventually requiring ventilator support. Rinku, who is part of India’s T20 World Cup squad, visited his father in the hospital ahead of the team’s match against Zimbabwe.

Despite the personal tragedy, Rinku returned to the squad in time for the match. He did not feature in the playing XI, with Sanju Samson taking his place, but participated as a substitute fielder. His presence on the field, even briefly, reflected his dedication to the team while coping with a deeply emotional loss. The news of his father’s death was met with condolences from teammates, cricketing peers, and fans alike.

Khanchand Singh played a pivotal role in shaping Rinku’s cricketing journey. Despite working as an LPG cylinder deliveryman in Aligarh and facing financial challenges, he ensured that Rinku had every possible opportunity to pursue a professional cricket career. His unwavering support has been widely acknowledged by the cricketing fraternity as a driving force behind Rinku’s rise to the national team.

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Several prominent cricketers expressed their sympathies following the news. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh shared his condolences on X, stating, “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. 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.”

Rinku’s T20 World Cup campaign has been challenging on the field as well. Coming into the tournament on the back of a strong run of form, he has scored just 24 runs across five innings. Limited opportunities to play long innings have hindered his ability to contribute significantly, which led to Samson replacing him in the playing XI during recent matches.

The Indian team are set to travel to Kolkata for their final Super 8 encounter against the West Indies. The match will act as a virtual quarter-final, with the winner securing a spot in the semi-finals following India’s victory over Zimbabwe and West Indies’ heavy loss to South Africa. Amid the tournament pressures, Rinku and the team continue to balance personal grief and professional commitments.

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