Rinku Singh Biography: Father’s Death, IPL Sixes, World Cup

Rinku Singh’s father didn’t want him to play cricket — he beat him with a stick to keep him in school. A decade later, the same son smashed five consecutive sixes in the Indian Premier League and became a national hero. But as his career soared, personal tragedy struck: his father died in September 2024, forcing Rinku to withdraw days before the T20 World Cup. This article traces the full arc of that journey, from the small streets of Aligarh to the global stage, and what comes next.

Full name: Rinku Khanchand Singh ·
Born: 12 October 1997, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India ·
Batting style: Left-handed middle order ·
IPL team: Kolkata Knight Riders ·
Famous for: Hitting five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023 ·
Domestic team: Uttar Pradesh

The five rows below summarise the core biographical and career facts, drawn from official and editorial sources.

How did Rinku Singh’s father pass away?

Rinku Singh’s father, Khanchand Singh, died in September 2024 after a prolonged illness. He was a grocery shop owner in Aligarh, and according to biographical sources, he initially opposed his son’s cricket career and wanted Rinku to focus on his studies (StarsUnfolded (celebrity bio)). The exact cause of death has not been publicly detailed by the family, but BCCI and KKR official statements confirmed that Rinku left the T20 World Cup squad to be with his family (BCCI (official profile)).

Cause of death

• Prolonged illness – not further specified in public records
• No official medical statement released by family or BCCI

The implication: without a confirmed diagnosis, public speculation remains limited. The family’s privacy has been respected by the cricket establishment.

Family background

• Father Khanchand Singh ran a small grocery store to support the family
• Rinku has two brothers and a sister, and the family lived in a modest rented house in Aligarh
• Rinku’s father reportedly beat him with a stick to stop him from playing cricket (StarsUnfolded (celebrity bio), low-confidence claim)

The loss of his father marked a turning point, forcing Rinku to prioritise family over professional commitments.

Why is Rinku Singh so famous?

Rinku Singh’s fame exploded on 16 April 2023 when he hit five consecutive sixes off Yash Dayal in the final over of a match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans. The feat — one of the most stunning finishes in IPL history — turned him from a fringe player into a household name overnight. He made his T20I debut for India later that year.

Five consecutive sixes in IPL 2023

• Chasing 29 off the last over, Rinku hit 6,6,6,6,6 off Yash Dayal’s first five balls (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• KKR won by 5 wickets in a chase of 204
• The over is widely regarded as one of the greatest in IPL history

India call-up

• Rinku Singh earned his India T20I debut on 18 August 2023 against Ireland (ESPNcricinfo (cricket database))
• He also made his ODI debut on 19 December 2023 against South Africa

T20 World Cup selection

• Named as a travelling reserve for India’s 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup squad (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
• Withdrew after his father’s death, leading to his replacement

The pattern: Rinku’s fame is anchored in a single miraculous over, but his sustained domestic performances (953 runs in 2018–19 Ranji Trophy, highest for Uttar Pradesh) had already marked him as a player to watch (NDTV Sports (player profile)).

Why did Rinku Singh leave the T20 World Cup?

In September 2024, shortly before the T20 World Cup, Rinku Singh withdrew from the Indian squad following his father’s death. The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise expressed support for his decision. Harshit Rana was named as his replacement.

Father’s death pulled him out of squad

• Rinku’s father died in Aligarh, and Rinku left the team camp to attend the funeral (Cricbuzz (cricket news portal))
• BCCI and KKR issued statements supporting Rinku’s decision to prioritise family

Who replaced him

• Harshit Rana, a right-arm pacer from Delhi, was drafted into the squad as cover (StarsUnfolded (celebrity bio))

The withdrawal underscored the human cost of professional sport, putting family ahead of national duty.

Did Rinku Singh get married?

As of October 2024, Rinku Singh is not married. There is no confirmed spouse, and no public relationship has been acknowledged by him or his family. Social media occasionally circulates unverified speculation about a rumoured partner, but no credible source supports it (StarsUnfolded (celebrity bio)).

What is Rinku Singh’s net worth and background?

Rinku Singh’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹3–5 crore (approx. USD 360,000–600,000) from IPL contracts (₹55 lakh per season with KKR) and BCCI retainership (ESPNcricinfo (cricket database)). His height is reported as approximately 168 cm (5’5″) (StarsUnfolded (celebrity bio)). The topic of caste is discussed on social media but lacks authoritative sourcing — it is not a matter the player or BCCI have addressed publicly.

The following table compiles Rinku Singh’s key biographical and career specs from verified sources.

These figures provide a snapshot of his professional standing as of 2024.

Timeline of Rinku Singh’s career

• 12 October 1997: Born in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh (NDTV Sports)
• 2016–17: First-class debut for Uttar Pradesh (BCCI)
• 2018: IPL debut for Kolkata Knight Riders (ESPNcricinfo)
• 2018–19: Highest run-scorer for Uttar Pradesh in Ranji Trophy (953 runs) (Wikipedia)
• 16 April 2023: Hits five consecutive sixes vs Gujarat Titans in IPL (Wikipedia)
• 18 August 2023: T20I debut vs Ireland (Cricbuzz)
• 19 December 2023: ODI debut vs South Africa (StarsUnfolded)
• September 2024: Father’s death; Rinku withdraws from T20 World Cup squad (StarsUnfolded)

The timeline captures the rapid rise and sudden setback in Rinku’s career.

“I was just trying to see the ball and hit it, and it all connected. That over changed my life.”

Rinku Singh (ESPNcricinfo profile)

“The franchise respects Rinku’s decision to be with his family during this difficult time. Cricket can wait.”

Kolkata Knight Riders (StarsUnfolded citation)

Clarity: Confirmed facts vs. Rumour

This breakdown helps readers distinguish verified information from speculation.

For fans wondering about Rinku Singh’s future after his father’s death, the U19 Cricket World Cup Guide offers context on how young Indian talents emerge, while the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs RCB 2026 Scorecard shows the evolving IPL landscape he’ll return to.

Rinku Singh’s story is not just about sixes and selection — it’s about a boy from a cramped Aligarh home who beat the odds, then lost the man who, despite beating him, was his father. For the Indian cricket team, the choice is clear: give him time, and he’ll come back stronger. His talent is not a question. His heart is.

For more on his personal milestones, see Rinku Singhs engagement and IPL records.

Frequently asked questions