Today, the world of cricket is mourning a deeply personal loss. Khanchand Singh, The Rinku Singh father passed away early this morning, February 27, 2026.
The story of Rinku Singh has always been one of the most inspiring “underdog” tales in sports, and at the center of that story was his father—a man who worked tirelessly to ensure his son could chase his dreams.
The Sad News: What Happened?
- The Struggle: He was placed on ventilator support on February 21. Despite the best efforts of the doctors, he breathed his last in the early hours of Friday.
- National Duty vs. Family: Rinku Singh, who is currently with the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, had briefly returned home to be by his father’s side but had rejoined the team in Chennai for their match against Zimbabwe just yesterday.
- Final Rites: Upon hearing the news of his father’s demise, Rinku has left the team camp again to perform the last rites in his hometown, Aligarh.
A Life of Sacrifice: Hauling Cylinders to Fuel Dreams
Long before Rinku Singh was hitting five sixes in an over for KKR or finishing games for Team India, his father was known in Aligarh as the “LPG Cylinder Man.”
- Hard Work: Khanchand Singh worked for a gas agency, delivering heavy LPG cylinders on a bicycle to households across the city. He earned a meager salary of around ₹12,000 per month.
- Living Simply: For years, the family lived in a small two-room quarter provided by the gas company.
- Early Resistance: Like many fathers from humble backgrounds, Khanchand initially wanted Rinku to focus on studies or a “secure” job. Rinku once famously shared that his father would sometimes scold him for playing cricket instead of working.
- The Turning Point: That changed when Rinku won a motorbike as a ‘Player of the Tournament’ award in a local competition. Seeing his son’s success and talent, Khanchand became his strongest pillar of support.
The Cricket World Reacts
Tributes have been pouring in from fellow cricketers and fans alike:
- Virat Kohli: “Deeply saddened… May you find strength in his eternal blessings.”
- Harbhajan Singh: “Pained to learn about the demise… This must be an especially difficult time for Rinku.”
- UPCA: The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association expressed their deep condolences, stating they stand firmly with Rinku in this hour of grief.
Rinku had shared in a viral interview last year.
“I told my father to relax now, but he loves his job. He says if he sits idle, he will feel useless. He wants to stay connected to his roots,”
Staying Grounded: Why He Refused to Quit Work
One of the most trending stories about Rinku’s father was his refusal to stop working even after his son became a millionaire.
Even after Rinku was retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for ₹13 crore for the IPL 2026 season and bought a luxurious home for the family, Khanchand could still be seen delivering cylinders in Aligarh.
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