India captain Suryakumar Yadav shared a heartfelt moment with Sri Lanka spinner Dunith Wellalage during the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday. The 22-year-old spinner had recently lost his father, Suranga Wellalage, earlier this month. Dunith was informed about his father’s passing due to a heart attack by Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya following the team’s group stage match against Afghanistan. After the news, Suryakumar approached Wellalage on the sidelines, placing a comforting hand on his chest and offering words of encouragement. The two spoke for nearly two minutes, with Suryakumar repeatedly patting and cheering him on. Wellalage nodded in agreement throughout the conversation, clearly moved by the gesture. When the India captain walked away, Wellalage appeared grateful for the support.
The interaction was captured and shared by Sony Sports Network on social media with the simple caption, “This moment.”Click here to watch the full video. Despite his personal loss, Wellalage returned to the UAE in time for Sri Lanka’s first Super 4s match against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Stadium. He struggled in the game, failing to take a wicket, and was subsequently left out of Sri Lanka’s next two matches against Pakistan and India. Earlier, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha, along with coach Mike Hesson and manager Naveed Akram, had also offered their support to the young spinner. The India versus Sri Lanka match itself turned out to be a thriller. India batted first and posted 202 for 5 in 20 overs, thanks to a brilliant 61 from opener Abhishek Sharma. Sri Lanka looked set to chase the target, with Pathum Nissanka hitting a magnificent century. The match went down to the wire, entering a Super Over after Nissanka’s dismissal in the final over. Arshdeep Singh bowled for India, conceding just two runs. Suryakumar then sealed the win by hitting the required runs off the first ball bowled by Wanindu Hasaranga. With this victory, India maintains its winning momentum and now prepares to face archrival Pakistan in the Asia Cup final on Sunday, September 28, at the Dubai International Stadium.
