The saddest story of Asia Cup: Dunith Wellalage’s heartbreaking loss

Cricket fans around the world were left heartbroken on Thursday night as news surfaced that Sri Lanka’s promising all-rounder Dunith Wellalage lost his father, Suranga Wellalage, while he was still on the field playing against Afghanistan in the Asia Cup 2025.

Wellalage had already endured a rough outing. Afghanistan’s veteran Mohammad Nabi smashed him for five consecutive sixes in the final over, a nightmare moment for any bowler, let alone a 22-year-old trying to cement his place in the national side. But what followed after the game was far more painful.

Sri Lanka’s coach Sanath Jayasuriya, along with the team manager, made the difficult decision to inform Wellalage only after the match. A video that has since gone viral shows Jayasuriya and the team manager breaking the news right near the boundary rope. The sight of the young cricketer absorbing such devastating information left fans and fellow players deeply moved.

After learning of his father’s passing, Wellalage flew back home immediately. His participation in the remainder of the Asia Cup remains uncertain, but the Sri Lankan cricket community has rallied behind him, offering support and prayers during this unimaginable time.

Wellalage’s grief-stricken moment echoes past instances where players have balanced personal loss with professional duty. Sachin Tendulkar lost his father during the 1999 World Cup, returned after the funeral, and went on to score an unforgettable 140 against Kenya. Virat Kohli, after losing his father during a Ranji Trophy match, came back the very next day and converted his overnight 40 into a courageous 90. Mohammed Siraj, while on tour in Australia in 2020-21, chose to stay with the team despite his father’s death, missing the funeral to honour his commitment to India.

These stories highlight the immense mental strength required of athletes. Beneath the records and accolades, they are humans dealing with the same pain and heartbreak as anyone else.

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