New Delhi, Dec 14: India captain Rohit Sharma was is in news for his masterclass at against Sri Lanka in the second one-day international in Mohali on Wednesday (December 13).
The right-handed opener became the first man in the ODI history to score three double hundreds in a 50-over game as India piled up a mountain of runs for the visitors to chase.
The stylish batsman carried his bat through at the end of India's innings and remained unbeaten at 208 off 153 deliveries. It was a must-win game for the hosts and they won the game quite comfortably by restricting Sri Lanka to 251/8 in the stipulated 50 overs and levelled the series 1-all.
At a time when the cricketing fraternity, fans and experts were hailing the Mumbaikar for his monumental knock, a news which, perhaps, didn't get noticed was how the 30-year-old cricketer helped a Sri Lankan fan in need.
The fan, hailing from Sri Lanka, has revealed how a timely financial aid from Rohit helped him reach home to attend to his ailing father.
As per reports, Mohamed Nilam, who was following the Sri Lankan cricket team on the India tour along with two others, was informed that his father was diagnosed with throat cancer during the third Test in Delhi.
He had to immediately go back for his father's surgery but did not have sufficient funds to book a new ticket.
India's superfan Sudhir Gautam informed India skipper Virat Kohli and Rohit about Nilam's situation. Rohit immediately stepped in to sort out Nilam's return ticket and provided him with Rs 20,000 to get his flight tickets booked.
"Rohit called me to the team hotel and gave me the (Rs 20,000 approx) 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 Mid-Day.
The stand-in India skipper even offered financial help for the surgery, but Nilam refused it. Virat too got in touch with the Lankan to ask him whether he needed any help.
"When Virat bhai came to know about my father's health, he too messaged me and asked if I needed any help. I congratulated Virat bhai 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.