The terrible timing of Dunith Wellalage‘s father’s death was that he passed away while Dunith was playing Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, and his 22-year-old son didn’t receive the news until after the game.
After his father, Suranga Wellalage, passed away on Thursday (September 18), the Sri Lankan left-arm spinner became the talk of the town when he made himself available for their pivotal Super Four match against Bangladesh.
Wellalage, the eldest of Wellalage senior’s three children and an all-rounder for Sri Lanka, spent the night with his family before travelling back to Dubai on Saturday morning.
This website was informed by a senior Sri Lankan journalist who was there at Saturday’s Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka match in Dubai that his father passed out during play. All-around, Wellalage had a really tough night as he fell under Mohammad Nabi’s wrath and gave up 32 runs in his final over against Afghanistan. However, the 22-year-old’s personal loss of his father made things even more difficult.
There was a lot of conjecture when it was announced that the left-arm spinner had lost his father and had gone back to his hometown about whether or not he would go back to Dubai to play against Bangladesh because, if nothing else, he was going through a major family problem.
When the stadium held a minute of remembrance for his father, who tragically died on Thursday, the young boy displayed his poise while letting his emotions run wild.
Sri Lanka easily won with six wickets and eight balls left to earn a spot in the Super Fours, whereas Wellalage did not do well in his first Asia Cup match against Afghanistan, taking 1 for 49.
Even a Sri Lanka Cricket Board official referred to Wellalage’s homecoming as a “very strong guy,” demonstrating the country’s pride. It merely demonstrated the child’s mental toughness, especially since his father is scheduled to be cremated at Rawathawatta General Cemetery on September 21.
An official close to SLC stated on Saturday that “he (Dunith) is a mentally very strong guy and wanted to return.” “His father encouraged him to play cricket, which likely influenced his decision to go back and represent his nation, and he carried him fairly well.
“Naturally when someone goes through such a crisis, it will have an impact on his mind but he never looked broken at any point,” he stated.
Dunith struggled with the ball against Bangladesh, giving up 36 runs in his four overs without taking any wickets.
Wellalage did not encounter any deliveries when he came to bat in the final over.
It didn’t really matter, though, given how courageous he was and how well-liked he was by both his countrymen and cricket fans worldwide.
In his Facebook post, former national cricket player and ICC elite panel cricket umpire Kumar Dharmasena praised him for his dedication.
“We support Dunith regardless of what occurs on the pitch. He is more than just a footballer; he is a young lion bearing the dreams of his late father, the aspirations of a whole country, and the duty of proudly flying our flag,” he said.
“He bears a burden that is much greater than most of us can comprehend at such a young age. And in times like these, he needs our support when the going gets hard, not just praise when he performs well.
As citizens of Sri Lanka, let’s do more than watch. He said, “Let’s be his fathers who give him wise counsel, his brothers who give him strong protection, and his friends who never leave him alone.”
“Let’s surround Dunith with love, support, and steadfast faith today. Because he brings not just a bat but all of us with him when he takes the pitch. We rise together. We fight together. We stand with Dunith together,” he continued.
Given the number of times cricket players have returned to the squad during family emergencies, Dunith is undoubtedly not the first to take such a step, but his deed will go on in history.
India
