Dinesh Chandimal's phone call surprises wonder boy

Sri Lanka's 10-year-old youngster Rishi Yudhan was over the moon when he received a congratulatory call from former skipper Dinesh Chandimal.

Playing in an under-13 division II match for Colombo's Hindu College, Rishi had a magical bowling figure of 9.4-9-0-8.

"Yes, we were pleasantly surprised with the call. The former Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal spoke to my son over the telephone and congratulated him. Even the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) media unit also visited him", the player's father, Selva Seksaram, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said on Wednesday.

The father was at the ground when this boy bowled magnificently.

"I am very happy for his achievement. I also played cricket for domestic clubs some years ago. So it is indeed a great pleasure to see my own son reach this remarkable performance".

The father is providing all moral support to his sons. "Yudhan is the eldest son. He has a younger brother also. I take Yudhan for practice at the ground everyday and encourage my both sons to do well in all walks of life".

Rishi was introduced to the game of cricket at a very early age, as early as 3 years old, by myself, during the times the father used to play for a club situated in Wattala.

Thereafter the boy was admitted to formal coaching lessons under Mr. Brendon Kuruppu at his academy in the year of 2021. At the academy he was selected to play for under 11 and under 12 teams – Oval CC, in regular manner and also took part in several inter academy tournaments such as Colombo Premier League, Nelson Mendis Challenge Trophy to name a few. In 2022, Rishi joined regular practice sessions at the school under the coaching and mentoring of Mr. Karthik Selvan up to date who has been the driving force of his remarkable development.

Rishi comes from a very poor family. Some prevailing financial difficulties occurred during the economic crisis and thereafter in the country prevented the family from spending on extra cricketing activities which he needed other than what he is being taught by Mr. Karthik Selvan at school. Top of all, Rishi has a younger sibling born in 2018, who had been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, the conditions made us hopeless and sorrowful.

The child has to be hand clutched and carried everywhere at all times with the parents which prevents father and his wife (Nithya) taking up even a self -employment to support expenses. Things became worse and challenging for them, with the outbreak of COVID pandemic, resulting in the dad too losing the employment as a sales person cum manager at Motorcade Pvt LTD.

The poor father is presently operating as an auto rickshaw driver under severe desperation failing to meet ends. House rent, medical expenses, frequent visits to hospitals and the repayment of a loan instalment taken by the Women’s Samurdhi Society have burdened ourselves by not being able to feed Rishi with a proper meal.