Aligarh (Gurpreet Singh) — The Indian cricket community is in mourning following the passing of Khanchand Singh, the father of star batter Rinku Singh, in the early hours of Friday, February 27, 2026. Khanchand Singh, 54, breathed his last at approximately 4:36 a.m. at a private hospital in Greater Noida. He had been battling fourth-stage liver cancer and had been placed on ventilator support earlier this week after his health took a critical turn.
The news of his father’s failing health reached Rinku Singh on Tuesday while he was stationed in Chennai with the Indian squad for the ongoing 2026 T20 World Cup. In a moving display of devotion, Rinku immediately departed the team’s training sessions to be with his father in his final days. Despite the immense personal strain, the resilient cricketer returned to Chennai on Wednesday, February 25, to rejoin the national side and fulfill his professional obligations to the country.
Rinku’s commitment was on full display during India’s Super-8 encounter against Zimbabwe on Thursday, February 26. Although he was not part of the starting XI, he took to the field as a substitute fielder, maintaining his focus on the game even as his father remained in a critical state. This act of mental fortitude has drawn widespread admiration from fans and teammates alike, who have hailed him as a symbol of professional integrity and personal strength.
Khanchand Singh’s life story remains an inspiration to many. For years, he worked tirelessly as an LPG cylinder delivery man in Aligarh, braving financial hardship to ensure Rinku could pursue his cricketing ambitions. Rinku has frequently credited his father’s grit and silent sacrifices as the driving force behind his rise from a small-town boy to an international sporting icon. As the news of the patriarch’s passing spreads, senior cricketers and BCCI officials have begun sharing tributes, honoring the man who stood as the unwavering pillar behind one of India’s most beloved young talents.
