Rinku Singh had visited his father before Zimbabwe game in Chennai and performed his last rites.
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir lauded Rinku Singh for showing great courage and character in rejoining the Indian team after his father’s demise in the midst of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand, was admitted to a hospital in Noida as he battled with cancer, and his condition worsened. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with the disease on Friday, and Rinku Singh had to leave the Indian team for the last rites of his father.
Rinku Singh returned to the squad before the West Indies game, but the team management went on with Sanju Samson in the XI in his place.
“Rinku, it takes a lot of character to come and join the team—remember one thing, you are not alone, the whole team is standing next to you—so stay strong," Gambhir said in a video shared by BCCI, ahead of the West Indies game in Kolkata.
Gambhir then directed his words to the whole team, saying, “Guys, there is pressure. One thing is very clear: make sure that we don’t hide away from the pressure. We embrace it. We face it. And if at any time we feel we’re under pressure, make sure we take the positive move. Enjoy playing this game. This is what you play this game for, this sport for. This is what you’ve played all your life, games like this at home, a knockout kind of a game. So make sure we go out there excited, not under any pressure anytime for the next 40 overs; if you feel the pressure, make sure we take the positive move. Okay, be brave. Be courageous. Enjoy, enjoy playing for the country, and, most importantly, enjoy playing for each other. Okay, good luck."
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Samson had played for India for the first time in the T20 World Cup 2026 against Zimbabwe, giving the team a quick start. He persisted with and hammered 97* as India chased down the 196-run target against the West Indies in Kolkata and qualified for the semi-final.
India will next play England in the second semi-final of the tournament on March 5 in Mumbai.