Indian batsman Rinku Singh performed the last rites of his father Khanchand Singh who died after a long battle with stage 4 liver cancer. He breathed his last at Greater Noida’s Yatharth Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for the last few days as his condition worsened.
After receiving news of his father’s death, Rinku flew from Chennai to his hometown in Aligarh to perform the last rites. The Indian batsman looked dazed as he carried his father’s mortal remains on his shoulder. In a video that has since gone viral, Rinka can be seen wearing a blue cap as she carries her father’s remains to perform the last rites amid tight security.
The heartbreaking development came when Rinku was with the Indian team at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. After initially traveling home when his father’s condition worsened before India’s Super 8 match against Zimbabwe, Rinku rejoined the team in Chennai.
He was not part of India’s XI for the Zimbabwe match as the team changed their combination for the must-win match. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel were brought in to adjust the balance, with Samson re-instated at the top of the order, Ishan Kishan moved down the batting line-up and Tilak Varma tasked with finishing duties.
Will Rinku play in the rest of the tournament?
Although he did not feature in the playing eleven, Rinku remained involved in the team and came on the field as a substitute during the match. So far in the Rinku tournament, he has played five matches and scored 24 runs, contributing to his designated role as a finisher. With India set to take on the West Indies in the deciding clash in Kolkata, uncertainty now surrounds Rink’s availability for the rest of the tournament.
It remains unclear whether the 28-year-old will play any further role in the remaining matches of India’s T20 World Cup 2026, with no official updates from the Board of Control for Cricket in India or the team management regarding his participation yet.
Meanwhile, the entire cricket fraternity has extended their condolences to Rink and his family at this difficult time. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli along with Shikhar Dhawan, Irfan Pathan and several others, came out in support of Rinku and extended his sympathies.
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Issued by:
Rishabh Beniwal
Published on:
27 Feb 2026 16:59 IST
