India batter Rinku Singh has departed from the national team camp in Chennai following a family medical emergency involving his father. The cricketer missed the team's practice session ahead of their Super 8 match against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup. He is expected to rejoin the squad soon.
India's middle-order batsman Rinku Singh flew back home from the team camp in Chennai on Tuesday morning, February 24, 2026, due to a family emergency. Reports indicate that his father, Khanchand Singh, is in serious condition and has been admitted to an intensive care unit at a hospital in Greater Noida. This development comes just two days before India's crucial Super 8 clash against Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday.
Rinku, who arrived in Chennai with the team on Monday, did not participate in the batting unit's lengthy net session at the venue. The rest of the squad, including players like Sanju Samson, underwent focused training under the coaching staff's guidance. Discussions within the team have centered on potential adjustments to the lineup, with Sanju Samson emerging as a candidate for inclusion to address batting concerns, particularly after Abhishek Sharma's struggles at the top. Alternatives include promoting Suryakumar Yadav to number three or utilizing Shivam Dube as a floater to counter spin bowling in the powerplay.
Rinku has had a modest tournament so far, scoring just 24 runs across five innings. In his absence, India may turn to Axar Patel as a replacement, valuing his all-round abilities on the expected slow pitch. The selected Pitch No. 5 at Chepauk is described as batting-friendly, with a par score anticipated around 180-190, differing from slower surfaces encountered elsewhere. Zimbabwe, having upset Australia and Sri Lanka earlier, pose a potential challenge despite India's recent loss to South Africa.
A source close to the development told PTI that Rinku is expected to return to the team on Wednesday, allowing him to potentially feature in the match. India has an optional training session planned for the afternoon, while Zimbabwe will practice under lights in the evening.
