In a heartbreaking turn of events, the father of Indian cricket sensation Rinku Singh, Khanchand Singh, breathed his last on Friday morning at a private hospital in Noida. The 55-year-old had been battling liver cancer and was admitted to Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida on February 21 after his condition deteriorated sharply. Placed on ventilator support, he passed away at 4:36 AM, leaving behind a grieving family and a shocked cricketing fraternity.
Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) Secretary Prem Manohar Gupta expressed profound sorrow over the untimely demise. Speaking exclusively, Gupta said, ‘This is an extremely tragic loss. His age was not much; he was fighting cancer valiantly. May God grant him peace and strength to the family. All UPCA members stand in solidarity during this hour of grief.’
Gupta highlighted the family’s recent joys amid the sorrow, noting Rinku’s upcoming wedding and his selection for India’s squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. ‘The family was in a phase of happiness with his marriage fixed and a major tournament ahead. This irreplaceable loss will test their resilience, but athletes’ mental fortitude gives hope for quick recovery,’ he added, planning to visit for the post-death rituals.
Rinku, who cut short his stay with the team in Chennai to be by his father’s side before Thursday’s match against Zimbabwe, did not feature in the playing XI. BCCI Secretary Devjit Saikia also conveyed condolences, stating, ‘On behalf of BCCI, I extend deepest sympathies to Rinku and his family in this difficult time.’
The cricketing world mourns the loss of a man whose sacrifices paved the way for his son’s stellar rise from Aligarh’s modest beginnings to international stardom. As Rinku prepares to face personal tragedy alongside professional commitments, tributes pour in, underscoring the human side of sports icons.