LUCKNOW, Feb. 28 -- Khanchand Singh, father of Indian cricketer Rinku Singh, passed away in the wee hours of Friday after a prolonged battle with Stage 4 liver cancer. He breathed his last at a hospital in Greater Noida where he had been undergoing treatment in recent days as his condition deteriorated. Rinku's elder brother Sonu performed the last rites in Aligarh on Friday evening after he returned home on hearing about his father's death. Earlier this week too, Rinku had flown home ahead of India's T20 World Cup Super 8s clash against Zimbabwe. Though he returned to join the Indian team just before the match, Rinku wasn't part of the playing XI against Zimbabwe which India won by 72 runs to keep their hopes alive for a semi-final berth. But on returning to the hotel after the match, the 28-year-old learned of the personal tragedy. Rinku's father was a LPG cylinder delivery agent in Aligarh. "Papa sacrificed everything for my bat and ball," Rinku shared his pain in a tearful tribute during a virtual face-to-face with local fans after his brother performed the last rites at the cremation. "He never complained," Rinku recalled, "even when I failed in trials." Indian cricketing greats Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh condoled the death. "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 wrote on X. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said: "The news of Rinku Singh's father's passing is very heartbreaking. He had been ill for a year... He struggled a lot in his life... Rinku is also very upset... This is very sad... I pay my tributes to him." Rinku's childhood coach Masood Ameen termed Rinku's father's death a big loss to the cricketer, but added that left-hand batter is brave enough to handle the situation. "It's a big personal loss to Rinku, but he is brave enough to handle the situation and I am sure that he will be joining Team India for the crucial match against West Indies," Ameen said. Meanwhile, Aligarh Sports Association's chief Vivek Bansal and secretary, Fasahat Ali condoled the demise of Rinku's father. "Aligarh Sports Association expresses deep sympathy to Rinku for his irreparable loss of his father," states Ali in a letter to Rinku....