ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Rinku Singh returns to India, batsman's father critical in Noida hospital
ICC T20 World Cup 2026: Team India batsman Rinku Singh returned to his home in Aligarh on Tuesday. Sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stated that a family emergency forced Rinku to return home.
It is reported that Rinku's father is hospitalized in Noida and is in critical condition. India is scheduled to play Zimbabwe on February 26. However, Rinku's will not participate in the match.
With this development, India head into their do-or-die clash against Zimbabwe on February 26 in Chennai with a big void in their batting order. In a tournament already wobbling on the edge for India, the absence of their most dependable finisher threatens to alter both strategy and temperament.
Rinku's father has been battling stage-4 liver cancer
Rinku's father has been battling stage-4 liver cancer for over a year. His condition deteriorated on Tuesday, and he was placed on a ventilator in a Noida hospital. Despite Rinku's success, his father was known for continuing to work as an LPG cylinder delivery person in Aligarh for a long time before stopping due to the illness.
Rinku Singh had previously gifted his father a high-end bike and shifted his family into a new luxurious home he purchased for them in Aligarh in 2024. But the family has faced this significant health crisis recently.
Did not participate in practice session
The Super 8 match between India and Zimbabwe is to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. Rinku did not participate in the training session, while other team members were present in the nets. This match is crucial for India, as the Indian team needs to win this match by a large margin. Zimbabwe has played exceptionally well in this tournament.