Indian cricketer Rinku Singh suffered a personal loss on Friday as his father, Khanchand Singh, passed away after battling stage four cancer. The family has confirmed that the final rites will take place in Aligarh later today, with Rinku expected to attend the funeral. Khanchand Singh had been undergoing treatment for advanced-stage liver cancer at Yatharth Hospital. Dr. Sunil Kumar, the hospital’s spokesperson, confirmed that his condition had worsened significantly in recent days.
“His condition had deteriorated considerably, which led to his hospitalisation on February 21. He was placed on ventilator support and passed away early this morning,” Dr. Kumar said.
The news has prompted condolences from across the cricketing community. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh took to social media to express his sympathy, sharing heartfelt prayers for Rinku Singh and his family during this difficult time.
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Rinku, who is part of India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, had briefly left the team earlier in the tournament to visit his ailing father in Noida. He later rejoined the squad ahead of India’s Super 8 clash against the Zimbabwe national cricket team on February 26.
Pained to learn about the demise of Shri Khanchand Singh Ji, father of Rinku Singh. This must be an especially difficult time for Rinku and his family, even as he remains committed to his responsibilities during the T20 World Cup.
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with him…— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 27, 2026
Although the 28-year-old did not feature in that match, he was present with the team as they secured an important victory to keep their campaign alive.
Hailing from Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, Rinku Singh has often spoken about the sacrifices his father made to support his cricketing dreams. Khanchand Singh worked in gas cylinder distribution and played a crucial role in helping his son pursue the sport despite financial struggles.
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Earlier in June 2025, Khanchand Singh attended Rinku’s engagement ceremony with Priya Saroj in Lucknow, despite his health challenges. His presence at the event reflected the strong bond the family shared.
The cricket fraternity and fans have since come together to offer condolences as Rinku and his family mourn the loss of a guiding figure in his life.
