One World, One Family Cup 2025 Highlights: A Cricketing Spectacle for Compassion and Change
The second edition of the One World One Family Cup took centre stage in Bangalore on 8th February 2025, uniting cricketing legends from India and Sri Lanka—not as rivals, but as partners in a cause greater than the game itself.
The event commenced with a grand procession welcoming Sri Madhusudan Sai, cricketing legends Sunil Gavaskar, and Aravinda de Silva, the two captains—Venkatesh Prasad and Marvan Atapattu—along with B N Narasimha Murthy, Chancellor of our University, and Dr C Sreenivas, Chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai Health & Education Trust.
Leading the procession were students of our brass band, performing the Radetzky March by Johann Strauss, followed by 83 students of the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Group of Institutions, each carrying a flag representing one of the 83 countries united in this mission. Adding to the grandeur, girls from our University for Human Excellence, pursuing a Bachelor of Performing Arts, delivered a vibrant dance performance.
The morning also paid tribute to G.R. Vishwanath, celebrating his iconic 97 not out innings against the West Indies—a moment etched in Indian cricketing history.
As the flags of India and Sri Lanka waved proudly side by side, with the One World, One Family flag in between, the atmosphere was electric—not just with the excitement of cricket, but with a shared commitment to making a difference.
Legends Unite: A Star-Studded Presence
The event witnessed the participation of cricketing greats from both nations. Leading the One World India team was captain Venkatesh Prasad, joined by Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Naman Ojha, S. Badrinath, Ashoke Dinda, Piyush Chawla, Abhimanyu Mithun, Sunil Joshi, Parthiv Patel, Sujith Somasunder, Manoj Tiwary, Stuart Binny, and Dodda Ganesh. On the Sri Lankan side, captain Marvan Atapattu led a formidable lineup featuring legends such as Aravinda de Silva, Chaminda Vaas, Upul Tharanga, Tharanga Paranavitana, Milinda Siriwardana, Asela Gunaratne, Nuwan Zoysa, Muthiah Muralidaran, Thilan Thushara, Ravindra Pushpakumara, Ajantha Mendis, and Romesh Kaluwitharana. Together, these cricketing icons came together to celebrate the spirit of the game and the mission of compassion.
India Sets the Stage with a Commanding Total
Winning the toss, One Family Sri Lanka opted to bowl first, banking on the Bangalore altitude and chasing-friendly conditions. The Indian team, led by Venkatesh Prasad, accepted the challenge with open arms. Naman Ojha, setting the tone early, played an explosive knock, dispatching the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground. His 53 off just 27 balls provided India with a flying start.
Subramaniam Badrinath and Manoj Tiwary took the innings forward, stitching a valuable partnership. But the real fireworks came from Yusuf Pathan. Known for his power-hitting, Pathan rolled back the years, hammering a blistering 61 off just 32 balls, smashing boundaries and towering sixes with ease. Manoj Tiwary provided stability with his quickfire 44 off 29 deliveries.
Sri Lanka had their moments with Chaminda Vaas and Muthiah Muralidaran, both showcasing glimpses of their brilliance. Marvan Atapattu pulled off a spectacular one-handed catch that left everyone in awe. However, the Indian team’s aggressive batting ensured they finished at an imposing 195 for 6 in their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Spirited Chase
Sri Lanka’s chase was electrifying. Romesh Kaluwitharana, the pocket dynamo, and Upul Tharanga, the master technician, gave them a strong start. Kalu, known for his fearless approach, adjusted his game to suit the situation, rotating the strike while finding timely boundaries, finishing with a well-crafted 45 off 36 balls. Upul, ever the artist, pierced the field with precision on his way to a fluent 51 off just 28 deliveries.
Together, they absorbed the pressure and built a strong partnership that not only rescued the innings but also set the perfect launchpad for the chase. As the overs ticked by, the duo’s calculated aggression frustrated the opposition.
With a solid foundation in place, it was time for an explosive finish. Enter Milinda Siriwardana—the left-handed stroke-maker who thrived on counterattacks. From the moment he took guard, he signalled his intent with an authoritative pull shot to the boundary. Milinda’s ability to find gaps and clear the ropes made him a nightmare for the bowlers. His blistering cameo kept Sri Lanka in the hunt as he raced to 40 off just 17 balls.
A real crowd-pleaser was Aravinda de Silva rolling back the years with a classic six that had the stadium on its feet. The experienced campaigner reminded everyone why he remains one of Sri Lanka’s finest.
With the match hanging in the balance, India’s bowlers tightened their grip. Venkatesh Prasad’s triple strike—removing Asela Gunaratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, and Aravinda de Silva—proved to be the turning point. Despite a valiant effort from the Sri Lankan veterans, they fell just short at 189/8, with India sealing a hard-fought 6-run victory.
A Victory Beyond Cricket
While One World India secured the win on the field, the real victory was the cause it stood for. The One World One Family Cup is more than just a cricket match; it is a movement. Its aim is to raise awareness about free healthcare, education, and nutrition for the underprivileged and underserved through the Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission. This mission has been at the forefront of selfless service, ensuring that essential resources reach those in need across India and beyond.
The match served as a powerful reminder that cricket is not just a sport, but a platform to bring about meaningful change. As the players from both teams exchanged handshakes, the spirit of vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam, the world is one family, was evident. Legends from both nations came together, proving that when the power of sport is united with the power of compassion, everyone emerges a winner.
Final Scorecard
One World India: 195 for 6 (Yusuf Pathan 61, Ojha 53, Thilan 2 for 47, Asela 2 for 23)
One Family Sri Lanka: 189 for 9 (Tharanga 51, Romesh Kaluwitharana 45, Manoj 3 for 20, Venkatesh 3 for 25)
A Tradition Set to Continue
With the overwhelming success of this edition, the One World One Family Cup is poised to become a fixture in the global cricketing calendar. As the crowd dispersed and the floodlights dimmed, one thing remained clear. Cricket had once again proven to be a unifying force, and the world was, indeed, one family.
