Most cricket buffs in India only got a glimpse of their hero Virat Kohli’s wedding and reception through videos and photographs on social media. But one ardent fan from Sri Lanka got a chance to attend the Mumbai reception on Tuesday, following a personal invitation from the Indian captain.
Gayan Senanayake is one of Sri Lanka’s best known cricket fans. Nearly 35,000 people follow his public page on Facebook — he describes himself as “Cricket Cheering Leader” there — and his recent photograph with Kohli and Anushka Sharma (together nicknamed ‘Virushka’) at the reception has gone viral on social media. Sri Lankan fans, evidently excited for him, were full of praise for Kohli on Twitter and Facebook, for his thoughtful invitation.
“It was just great, I went with the entire Indian team. Virat even danced with me,” gushes Mr. Senanayake, who returned to the island on Thursday morning, after a 45-day trip to India.
From 2001 he made it a point to be with the Sri Lankan team wherever they played and cheer for the them. “Players will be around for five or six years. But fans like me will remain so our entire lives.” He is grateful to local company Deen Brothers Imports Pvt. Ltd. (DBL), for whom he is brand ambassador. “They have been sponsoring all my trips,” he said.
Courtney of dailynews.lk
