New Delhi, 27 February (H.S.):

Indian cricketer Rinku Singh's father, Khanchand Singh, aged 60, passed away at 4:36 AM Friday at Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida after battling liver cancer.BCCI joint secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed Rinku left the Chennai team camp for the funeral rites, with the board standing resolutely by the family in this hour of grief.

BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla posted on X: Heartbreaking news of Rinku Singh's father's demise. My deepest condolences to Rinku and family; may the departed soul find eternal peace and strength sustain the bereaved.

Yuvraj Singh called it soul-crushing, affirming the cricket community's unwavering support. Harbhajan Singh prayed for peace and fortitude during this ordeal. Virender Sehwag lauded Khanchand's sacrifices in raising a stellar son as his enduring legacy. Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, and Chennai Super Kings echoed heartfelt solidarity.

A former Aligarh LPG distributor, Khanchand's memory endures amid nationwide prayers for Rinku—his father's unyielding backing pivotal to stardom from humble beginnings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar