Cricketer Rinku Singh has left the India squad and flown back for a family emergency. While the exact reason hasn't been officially revealed by the BCCI, reports suggest that Rinku has gone back to be with his ailing father Khanchandra Singh. Khanchandra has been reportedly suffering from liver cancer and is currently in fourth stage of the disease.
Unconfirmed reports also state that Rinku's father is in a very critical condition with certain sources also mentioning him to be on the ventilator. Regardless of the exact situation, Khanchandra's medical condition remains critical and that's why Rinku has departed home on an emergency basis.
Currently, there is no update about Rinku's availability for the Zimbabwe clash but it seems unlikely that he will be part of that must-win contest. Sanju Samson spent an extended period of time in India's first training session in Chennai and is expected to replace Rinku in India's playing XI for the fixture.
The Indian team management is in constant communication with Rinku and a final decision will be taken on Wednesday evening. However, India were always going to make a couple of changes to their playing XI after the big defeat to South Africa. Vice-captain Axar Patel is certain to return at the expense of Washington Sundar.
Meanwhile, India's overdose of left-handers has allowed opposition off spinners to create a predictable plan against them. Hence, Samson's return was inevitable but if Rinku was completely available, it would have been a dilemma for the team management as Tilak Varma has also not been in great form. Now, with Rinku mostly unavailable, it is a relatively easier decision to make for the think tank.