In a heartwarming display of camaraderie and empathy, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav was seen consoling Sri Lankan spinner Dunith Wellalage on the sidelines of an Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match. The touching gesture occurred at the Dubai International Stadium, days after Wellalage tragically lost his father, Suranga Wellalage.
The young Sri Lankan cricketer received the devastating news of his father's passing following Sri Lanka's Asia Cup group stage match against Afghanistan. Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka's head coach, delivered the news to Wellalage after the game. Suranga Wellalage, a respected cricketer himself, had captained Prince of Wales College during the time Russell Arnold, former Sri Lankan all-rounder, captained St Peter's College.
Despite the immense personal loss, Wellalage returned to the UAE to rejoin the Sri Lankan squad for the Super 4s stage. He played in the Super Four match against Bangladesh, but was subsequently dropped for the matches against Pakistan and India. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed Wellalage's availability for the Super Four stage after he returned home briefly for family rituals. Before the match against Bangladesh, the Sri Lankan players wore black armbands and observed a minute of silence to honor Wellalage's father.
A video shared by Sony Sports Network captured the moment Suryakumar Yadav approached Wellalage. The Indian captain placed his hand on the young spinner's chest, offering words of encouragement and support. The two cricketers engaged in conversation for nearly two minutes, with Yadav patting Wellalage and seemingly cheering him on. Wellalage appeared grateful for Yadav's comforting words and support.
Yadav's compassionate gesture has resonated deeply with fans and members of the cricketing community, earning him praise for his sportsmanship and empathy. This act of kindness transcends the boundaries of competition, highlighting the human side of the sport.
While Yadav's gesture towards Wellalage has been widely lauded, it contrasts with other instances during the Asia Cup 2025 where he appeared to avoid interactions with the Pakistani team. Notably, he refrained from shaking hands with Pakistan's captain, Salman Ali Agha, during the toss for both the group stage and Super 4s matches. Some reports suggest that the lack of handshakes was a sign of solidarity with victims of a terror attack. Furthermore, there are reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) filed a complaint with the ICC regarding comments made by Yadav after India's victory over Pakistan. The ICC is reportedly reviewing the complaint.
Despite these controversies, Yadav's compassionate interaction with Dunith Wellalage serves as a reminder of the unifying power of sports and the importance of empathy in moments of personal hardship.
