Rinku Singh's Father Passes Away Amid T20 World Cup Challenges

Rinku Singh is grieving the loss of his father, Khanchand Singh, who passed away after a long battle with liver cancer. The incident has sparked controversy as teammates Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh faced backlash for their light-hearted behavior during this difficult time. As Rinku prepares to rejoin the Indian squad for a crucial Super 8 match against the West Indies, the cricket community reflects on the importance of sensitivity and respect in times of mourning.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 28, 2026, 01:59 IST

Tragic Loss for Rinku Singh

Rinku Singh, the Indian cricketer, is mourning the loss of his father, Khanchand Singh, who succumbed to liver cancer on February 27. Khanchand was hospitalized at Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital in Greater Noida, where his condition deteriorated, prompting Rinku to leave the team ahead of a critical Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in Chennai.

The day before the match, Rinku returned to the squad at MA Chidambaram Stadium but was not selected for the playing XI. Following the news of his father's passing, he quickly departed Chennai to return to Aligarh for the funeral.

#WATCH | Aligarh, UP: Cricketer Rinku Singh carries his father's remains during the funeral procession. Khanchand Singh passed away at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida earlier today after a long battle with fourth-stage cancer. pic.twitter.com/dsHBgG6UIj

Rinku's father, who worked as a gas cylinder supplier, had been fighting stage-4 liver cancer for a year. His health had worsened recently, leading to his being placed on a ventilator before he passed away. Rinku performed the last rites surrounded by family and friends in Aligarh.

Controversy Surrounding Teammates

In the wake of Rinku Singh's father's death, teammates Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh faced backlash on social media. This criticism arose after they were seen enjoying light-hearted moments with fellow players Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah while Rinku was grieving.

Axar Patel shared a video on Snapchat, which was later circulated by the Gujarat Titans on their social media, showing him and Arshdeep joking around. The timing of this video was deemed inappropriate as it coincided with Rinku attending his father's funeral.

The Indian squad was en route to Kolkata for an important Super 8 match, while Rinku had returned home to Aligarh. The video sparked outrage among fans, who felt it was disrespectful given the circumstances.

Public Reaction to the Incident

Fans expressed their disappointment on social media, criticizing Axar and Arshdeep for their seemingly insensitive behavior during a time of mourning. Many users on X (formerly Twitter) voiced their frustration, calling for greater respect and team spirit.

Comments included sentiments like, 'You guys are so shameless. At least you could have stopped for one day,' and 'Honestly a bit insensitive. Your teammate has lost his father; at least today you can refrain from fun.'

The cricket community has been vocal about the need for sensitivity, especially during such tragic moments. Rinku Singh's father passed away early in the morning, and the southpaw immediately left the team to support his family.

Looking Ahead

Despite the tragedy, Rinku Singh is expected to rejoin the Indian squad for their crucial Super 8 match against the West Indies at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata on March 1. This match will be pivotal for the team's chances in the T20 World Cup 2026, especially after a recent defeat to South Africa and a win against Zimbabwe.

With both India and the West Indies having two points from two matches, the upcoming game is essentially a knockout, with the winner securing a spot in the semifinals.