In a touching display of solidarity, Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has reached out to teammate Rinku Singh with an emotional message following the tragic passing of the young batter’s father, Khanchand Singh, on Friday morning. The 28-year-old, who is part of India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, lost his father after a prolonged battle with stage-4 liver cancer at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida.
‘Deeply saddened’: Virat Kohli offer heartfelt condolences
Virat Kohli took to social media platform X to express his grief and stand by his fellow cricketer during this difficult time. His message resonated deeply with fans and the cricket community alike.
“Deeply saddened by the news of Rinku’s father’s demise. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you always find strength in his eternal blessings. Om Shanti,” Kohli stated on X, tagging Rinku Singh in his post.
Deeply saddened by the news of Rinku’s father’s demise. My heartfelt prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you always find strength in his eternal blessings. Om Shanti. 🙏 @rinkusingh235
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 27, 2026
The former India captain’s words carried the warmth of a senior player reaching out to a younger colleague facing personal tragedy, reflecting the tight-knit bond within the Indian dressing room even as the team fights for survival in the T20 World Cup 2026.
Rinku Singh’s father succumbs after long illness
Khanchand Singh had been battling advanced liver cancer for an extended period. His condition deteriorated significantly over the past few days, leading to his admission to Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida on February 21. He was placed on ventilator support for the last three to four days before succumbing in the early hours of Friday.
Hospital PRO Dr. Sunil Kumar confirmed that Khanchand Singh was suffering from advanced liver cancer, which worsened in his final days. Rinku’s former coach, Masood Amini, also confirmed the tragic news to news agency PTI.
The mortal remains of Khanchand Singh were brought to Aligarh from Greater Noida, where Rinku was seen giving a shoulder to the funeral procession, a poignant image that moved the nation.
Rinku’s race against Time: From T20 World Cup camp to father’s side
Rinku has been shuttling between the Indian team camp and his ailing father throughout the World Cup. He previously rushed back home when his father’s condition worsened after India’s first Super 8 fixture against South Africa.
The left-handed batter rejoined the squad ahead of the crucial Zimbabwe clash on February 26, hoping his father would recover. However, fate had other plans. On Friday morning, Rinku left the team hotel in Chennai at 5:00 am to rush to New Delhi.
According to BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, Rinku will not travel with the team to Kolkata for their must-win Super 8 clash against the West Indies on Sunday. The team management has given him the space to be with his family during this period of mourning, prioritizing his emotional well-being over cricketing commitments.
