Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma recently made headlines by paying a surprise visit to the beloved Sri Lanka fan, fondly known as ‘Uncle Percy,’
What sets Uncle Percy apart is his unwavering dedication to the game and the Sri Lankan cricket team. He has been allowed onto the field by Sri Lanka’s cricket authorities after every game, win or lose, still carrying his flag. Despite being offered positions within the Sri Lankan cricket board, Uncle Percy declined.
Who is Uncle Percy Sri Lanka cricket team fan as he meets Rohit Sharma during Asia Cup cricket 2023
Uncle Percy, at the age of 87, has been a steadfast supporter of Sri Lankan cricket since its early days. He witnessed his first international match at the age of 12 in 1948, watching none other than the legendary Sir Donald Bradman in action.
It’s really nice to see Indian Captain Rohit Sharma have visited Sri Lanka’s one man cheer leader uncle Percy’s house as he is unwell these days. pic.twitter.com/h5fqvCznda
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) September 8, 2023
Uncle Percy’s love for cricket transcends generations, as evidenced by the names of his grandsons: Garfield and Sachinka, named after the West Indies all-rounder Sir Garfield Sobers and Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, respectively.
The visit took place at Uncle Percy’s residence in Ekala, Colombo, and was arranged at the request of another passionate Sri Lankan cricket fan, Gayan Senanayake. This heartwarming moment was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media.
Indian captain @ImRo45 has Visited Sri Lankan Cricket Supporter Mr. Percy Abeysekera at His Residence in Ekala.
that is according to a request of 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan Cricket Supporter Gayan Senanayake.#sportspavilionlk #RohitSharma #PercyAbeysekara #AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/ETAyk5bR8I
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) September 8, 2023
Rohit Sharma’s surprise visit to Percy Abeysekera, fondly known as ‘Uncle Percy,’ came at a crucial time as the Indian cricket team was preparing for the Asia Cup 2023.
The captain’s recent performance against Nepal, where he scored an impressive 74 runs off 59 balls, has heightened expectations for the upcoming matches.
The Indian skipper took the opportunity to chat with Uncle Percy about the upcoming India vs. Pakistan Super 4 game at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on September 10.
He also shared insights about the previous drawn match between the two arch-rivals in Pallekele, expressing how much Uncle Percy was missed at the ground.
This heartwarming gesture by Rohit Sharma is not an isolated incident. He is known for his friendly and compassionate attitude toward fans. In the past, he even paid for the flight of a Sri Lankan fan whose father was facing a medical emergency highlighting that such acts of kindness by sports stars go beyond the boundaries of the playing field