Rinku Singh Mourns the Loss of His Father After a Brave Fight Against Cancer
Tragic Passing of Khanchandra Singh
Rinku Singh, the left-handed batter for Team India, faced a heartbreaking loss as his father, Khanchandra Singh, passed away on February 27 after a prolonged struggle with liver cancer. Khanchandra was admitted to Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida on Saturday when his condition deteriorated, prompting Rinku to leave the India squad in Chennai to be by his father's side.
Despite rejoining the team for the Super 8 match against Zimbabwe, Rinku had to depart once more after his father's death at Yatharth Hospital. He will conduct the final rites for Khanchandra in their hometown of Aligarh.
Khanchandra's body was transported to Aligarh, where family and friends gathered to pay their respects before the last rites took place. Rinku Singh is anticipated to return to the squad for India's important Super 8 match against the West Indies after fulfilling his family duties.
Viral Video of Khanchandra Singh Surfaces
Following Khanchandra's passing, an old video of him gained traction on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where he expressed his disappointment regarding Rinku's exclusion from the T20 World Cup 2024 squad.
In the emotional clip, Khanchandra was visibly upset about Rinku's omission from the 15-member team, revealing that Rinku had personally informed his mother about the news.
"We bought crackers and were ready to celebrate, thinking Rinku would be in the Indian team for the T20 World Cup. But Rinku called his mother and broke the news; he was heartbroken," Khanchandra shared in an interview.
The video highlights the unwavering support Khanchandra had for his son's cricketing journey, even as Rinku was not part of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad but was included in the reserves.
Rinku's inclusion in the current T20 World Cup squad would have brought joy to his father, who had been battling serious health issues before his passing.
Khanchandra Singh's Influence on Rinku's Career
Rinku Singh hails from a humble background, with his father working as a gas cylinder supplier. Despite facing financial hardships, Khanchandra was a steadfast supporter of Rinku's cricket aspirations, often making personal sacrifices to facilitate his training.
Initially, Khanchandra was hesitant about Rinku pursuing cricket, preferring that he focus on academics due to their financial situation. However, he eventually became Rinku's strongest advocate, encouraging him to take the sport seriously and providing whatever resources he could.
Even when financial difficulties forced Rinku to take a job as a sweeper to help support the family, Khanchandra continued to inspire him to pursue cricket, never allowing their circumstances to hinder Rinku's dreams. His sacrifices were rewarded when Rinku was selected by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for INR 80 lakh during the 2018 IPL Mega Auction.
In 2023, Rinku was named to the Indian squad for the T20I series against Ireland. Over the past two years, he has become an integral part of India's limited-overs strategy, showcasing his power-hitting and finishing skills in domestic and IPL matches.
Khanchandra Singh's unwavering support was pivotal in Rinku's ascent from a young aspirant to a recognized talent in India's limited-overs cricket and a key player in the IPL.