It was a bittersweet outing for 22-year-old spinner Dunith Wellalage during Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup clash against Afghanistan. Even though his team registered victory, the young bowler endured a difficult day on the field. At one point, Afghan veteran Mohammad Nabi came dangerously close to rewriting history against him, nearly breaking Yuvraj Singh’s record of six sixes in an over.
However, the real heartbreak for Dunith came not from the game but from off the field. After the match concluded, Sri Lanka’s head coach Sanath Jayasuriya and the team manager approached the youngster to deliver devastating news. They informed him that his father, Suranga Wellalage, had sadly passed away.
A video of the moment has since gone viral on social media. In it, Dunith can be seen padded up and preparing for his batting turn when Jayasuriya comes over. The head coach is seen leaning in, speaking softly to the spinner, before gently patting him on the shoulder.
The moment when Sri Lanka’s coach Sanath Jayasuriya and Team manager informed Dunith Wellallage about the demise of his father right after the match. Dunith’s father passed away due to a sudden heart attack. He was 54.🥲
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) September 18, 2025
video credits- Dhanushka pic.twitter.com/P01nFFWlVW
The expressions said it all — Dunith looked visibly shaken as Jayasuriya continued to console him, offering words of comfort and support. The veteran stayed by his side, ensuring that the young cricketer did not feel alone in the face of such devastating news.
Eventually, Dunith quietly walked away towards the dressing room, escorted by teammates who rallied around him in a show of solidarity. What should have been a proud day for Sri Lanka ended in a somber note for their young spinner, as cricket once again reminded everyone that life outside the boundary often matters far more than what happens within it.