Team India batter Rinku's father Khanchand Singh passed away on Friday at 5:00 a.m after battling stage four cancer, news agency ANI reported. He was admitted to Yatharth Hospital-Omega -1, Greater Noida where he breathed his last.
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh took to social media X (formerly Twitter) to offer condolences. "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 and his loved ones. May Waheguru grant eternal peace to the departed soul and give strength and courage to the bereaved family." [sic]
Rinku Singh had to rush back home on Tuesday from the T20 World Cup squad to be with his family after his father's condition worsened after India's first Super 8 fixture against South Africa. However, he rejoined the squad ahead of India's match vs Zimbabwe but was not a part of the playing XI.
Rinku's former coach, Masood Amini, told PTI Videos in Aligarh that Khanchand Singh had been battling advanced-stage liver cancer and was in the terminal phase of the illness. "He had been unwell for quite some time. He was suffering from liver cancer. For the past three to four days, he was on ventilator support," Amini said.
Amini said Rinku's father worked tirelessly to support his family and educate his children. "He started out working as a gas cylinder delivery man and worked very hard to raise his family," he said.
The 28-year-old cricketer, a resident of Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh, credits much of his success to his father. Khanchand Singh, who worked in gas cylinder distribution in Aligarh, supported his son's dream of becoming a cricketer despitefacing financial hardships. The family said Khanchand Singh's last rites will be performed in Aligarh, and Rinku will attend the funeral.
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