India’s T20 World Cup triumph was a dream come true for Rinku Singh, but the moment of glory was tinged with deep personal grief. The explosive batter was part of the India national cricket team that defeated the New Zealand national cricket team in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, helping the team defend their title in front of jubilant fans.

However, the celebrations were bittersweet for Rinku, who had lost his father just days before the final. As he lifted the trophy, the 28-year-old could only think about the man who had inspired his cricketing journey and whose dream he had just fulfilled.

Rinku Singh's emotional tribute after historic triumph

Taking to Instagram after the victory, Rinku shared an emotional tribute in Hindi, expressing how difficult it had been to spend so many days without speaking to his father. “Aapse baat kiye bina itne din kabhi nahi nikale. Mujhe nahi pata aage ki zindagi aapke bina kaise chalegi... par mujhe har kadam par aapki zaroorat padegi.” (So many days have never passed without speaking to you. I don’t know how life will move ahead without you, but I will need you at every step.)

The batter said he remembered his father’s words that duty comes before everything else. That thought, he revealed, was what kept him focused during the tournament, as he stepped onto the field determined to fulfil his father’s dream.

“Aapne sikhaya tha ki farz sabse aage hai… toh field par bas aapka sapna poora karne ki koshish kar raha tha. Ab aapka sapna pura ho gaya hai… toh bas yahi lagta hai ki kash aap mere paas hote.” (You taught me that duty comes before everything else… so on the field I was only trying to fulfil your dream. Now that your dream has come true, I only wish you were here with me.)

Rinku also wrote that while the dream has now come true, the joy feels incomplete without his father by his side. He added that he will feel his absence in every small and big moment of happiness.

Also Read: Bangladesh vs Pakistan ODI series: Date, time, squads and all you need to know

Rinku’s father had been undergoing treatment for fourth-stage liver cancer before his passing, making the cricketer’s journey to lifting the world title even more emotional.