Indian cricketer Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand Singh, passed away on Friday after battling stage four cancer. He was receiving treatment at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida, where his health deteriorated earlier this week.

Rinku had travelled to see his father ahead of India’s T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe. Despite medical efforts, Khanchand Singh’s condition did not improve and he was placed on ventilator support. The cricketer later rejoined the squad in time for the fixture but was not included in the playing XI, with Sanju Samson taking his place. Rinku featured in the match as a substitute fielder.

A pillar of support in Rinku’s journey

Khanchand Singh played a significant role in his son’s cricketing career. Working as an LPG cylinder deliveryman in Aligarh, he ensured that financial challenges did not hinder Rinku’s ambitions in the sport. His support over the years was seen as instrumental in shaping the batter’s rise to the Indian team.

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh expressed condolences in a post on X, saying he was pained to learn of the demise and extended prayers to the family. He acknowledged the difficult time for Rinku, who continues to fulfil his national duties during the tournament.

Mixed outing in the tournament

Rinku’s T20 World Cup campaign has been underwhelming so far. He has scored 24 runs across five innings and has struggled to convert starts into significant contributions. Limited opportunities at the crease and the absence of big scores resulted in Samson being preferred in the lineup.

India are set to travel to Kolkata for their final Super 8 clash against West Indies. The encounter is effectively a virtual quarterfinal, with the winner securing a place in the semifinals. India head into the match after a win over Zimbabwe, while West Indies are coming off a heavy defeat to South Africa.

Indian middle-order batter Rinku Singh has flown back home from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup camp following a medical emergency in his family.

According to sources, the left-handed batter left the team environment after his father’s health condition worsened. It is learnt that his father is battling stage-4 liver cancer and is currently on ventilator support. Rinku decided to return home to be with his family during this critical period.

There is no official confirmation yet on whether the cricketer will rejoin the squad for the remainder of the tournament. Team management is closely monitoring the situation, and a further update is awaited.

Rinku has emerged as a key member of India’s white-ball setup in recent years, particularly known for his finishing abilities under pressure. Any prolonged absence could influence India’s combination in the crucial Super 8 stage of the competition.

For now, the focus remains on his family, with support expected from the cricketing fraternity as he navigates this difficult time.

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has reportedly been cautioned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after his remarks about former cricketers triggered controversy during the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup.

The issue surfaced after Pakistan suffered a 61-run defeat to India earlier in the tournament. Speaking to the media later, Shadab responded to criticism from former players and said that while they were legends, they “could not do what we have done,” referring to Pakistan’s win over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

PCB conveys displeasure over comments

According to reports, the PCB expressed its dissatisfaction with Shadab’s post-match comments and advised him to be mindful of his language during media interactions. Team manager Naveed Cheema reportedly conveyed the board’s concerns to the all-rounder.

Sources were quoted as saying that Shadab had crossed the line during the press conference and was reminded to show respect to former cricketers, including his father-in-law, former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq.

The board has also reportedly instructed the team management to ensure that players limit their comments strictly to match-related matters. It is understood that further action could follow if similar instances occur.

Remarks came after Namibia match

Shadab’s statement came after Pakistan’s 102-run win over Namibia in Colombo, where he scored 36 off 22 balls and returned figures of 3 for 13. The comments were seen as a response to criticism directed at the current squad following their defeat to India.

Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal described Shadab’s remarks as unnecessary, saying such words against former players warranted caution.

Media interactions under tighter control

The Pakistan team management has reportedly adopted a cautious approach regarding player interactions with the media. No players were made available for two days prior to the high-profile India clash.

In a separate instance, when Usman Tariq appeared for a pre-match interaction ahead of the Namibia fixture, the team’s media manager intervened to prevent him from responding to a tactical question. The manager stated that head coach Mike Hesson had already addressed the matter after the India match.

Pakistan are scheduled to face New Zealand in their first Super Eight fixture in Colombo on Saturday, followed by matches against England and Sri Lanka in Pallekele later in the tournament.