Rohit Sharma helps Sri Lanka fan return home for father's throat cancer treatment
Mohali: India’s stand-in captain Rohit Sharma celebrated his second match as captain in style, when he played a match-winning knock of 208 in the second ODI against Sri Lanka here on Wednesday.
Last week, Rohit Sharma gave a heartwarming gesture to a Sri Lankan fan, when he funded some money to him for travelling back to Sri Lanka, to see his ailing father.
Mohamed Nilam, who had been watching the matches throughout the series, was disappointed to know about his father’s throat cancer during the third Test in New Delhi, and did not have enough amount to travel back home.
Captain Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were informed about this by Sudhir Gautam, an Indian cricket fan, and the 30-year-old Rohit had later arranged for Nilam’s return. Nilam was in India, watching the games with two other die-hard fans, Gayan Senananyaka and Pubudu.
Nilam, in fact, made it home on time, before his father’s surgery took place on December 9.
"Rohit called me to the team hotel and gave me the ticket," Nilam was quoted saying to Mid-Day.
My father is much better now. The surgery went well. I was disturbed when I heard about my father's health, but Rohit has a big heart and he immediately arranged for my return ticket. He is a gem of a person," he added.
"He even asked me whether I need any financial help for the surgery, but I refused to take any money. I am grateful that he arranged for my ticket," he further commented.
Nilam also spoke about how Virat Kohli helped him.
"When Virat bhai came to know about my father's health, he too messaged me and asked if I needed any help. I congratulated Viratbhai 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," he said.
After levelling the series 1-1 in Mohali, thanks to a 141-run win, Rohit Sharma-led India will look to seal the three-match series when the two teams face each other in the third one-dayer at Vishakapatnam on Sunday.
