Rohit Sharma may have won the hearts of all his countrymen with his third ODI double-ton on Wednesday in India’s big win against Sri Lanka.
The stand-in skipper however, also had a Sri Lankan fan rooting for him as he carted the visitors’ bowlers to all parts of the ground at Mohali.
Mohamed Nilam, a Sri Lankan fan touring the country with his friends to support his team on their tour, was caught in a fix during the third Test between the two sides in New Delhi.
News reached Nilam that his father back home had been diagnosed with throat cancer and had to undergo an emergency surgery. The Sri Lankan fan was struggling with funds at the time and did not have the requisite money to buy an air-ticket home on such short notice.
Indian super fan Sudhir Gautam got to know about the issue from Nilam and he in turn, conveyed his plight to skipper Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Sharma scored a record third ODI double-ton on Wednesday.
Nilam said that Sharma called him to the team hotel and immediately gave him the money required to buy a flight ticket home. The Mumbai man also generously offered to take care of the surgery cost of Nilam’s father but the Sri Lankan fan refused.
“Rohit called me to the team hotel and gave me the ticket. The surgery went well. I was disturbed when I heard about my father’s health, Rohit has a big heart and he immediately arranged for my return ticket. He is a gem of a person,” Nilam told the Mid-Day newspaper.
Kohli himself had volunteered to help Nilam and had messaged the fan offering him all assistance.
“When Virat came to know about my father’s health, he too messaged me and asked if I needed any help. I congratulated Virat on his wedding. I feel blessed and lucky to get so much love from Indian cricketers. They have always been very helpful in arranging match tickets whenever we come to watch them,” Nilam added.
The assistance offered by both Sharma and Kohli is indeed highly commendable. The latter certainly would have an extra fan cheering him all the way from Sri Lanka despite Nilam’s countrymen being on the receiving end of another double-ton off Sharma’s bat.
