Video screengrab
Credit: X/@OfficialSLC
Dambulla: In a heartwarming gesture, star India batter Smriti Mandhana gifted a wheelchair-bound girl a mobile phone after the team's match at the ongoing women's T20 Asia Cup tournament here.
Adeesha Herath, who came to the stadium escorted by her mother in a wheelchair, experienced a pleasant surprise as Mandhana came to meet her and presented her a phone.
"Adeesha Herath's love for cricket brought her to the stadium, despite all the challenges. The highlight of her day? A surprise encounter with her favourite cricketer, Smriti Mandhana, who handed her a mobile phone as a token of appreciation," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a tweet.
In the video posted along with the tweet, Mandhana was heard asking the girl her name.
"You like cricket, that is nice. You enjoyed today's match. I have brought a gift for you from all of us," Mandhana told the girl, before having a high-five with her and posing for a photograph.
The girl's mother said it was an unexpected gift.
"We came to watch the match unexpectedly, as my daughter wanted to go for the match. We met Mandhana madam from Indian team and my daughter received a phone from her. It was unexpected and my daughter is so lucky to receive this gift from her," she said.
India beat arch rivals Pakistan by seven wickets on Friday in their opening match. They are up against United Arab Emirates on Sunday.