Indoo - Vindu

Throwback to 23 years ago on a day like this..

When recollecting Sri Lanka's golden cricketing moments, the Emirates cup 1998 is a moment which is often forgotten and not recollected. Further in Author's opinion this is the most beautiful and unique piece of silverware Sri Lanka has ever won.

Following a near invincible 96/97 season, Sri Lankan cricket was on a down hill phase in 1998. The stalwarts were moving into the twilight of their careers and it was showing on the field. Thus as Sri Lanka embarked on a tour of England for a one off test and a short Tri- Series involving the home team and an inform South Africa, nobody would have given them a chance.

Having lost to the host in their opening game at Lords, Sri Lanka roared back beating the South Africans aided by a power packed Sanath- Kalu partnership at the top of the order, complemented by a clinical bowling performance. This win enabled them to book a place in the finals

The final was a masterpiece. A packed crowd at Lords witnessed the brilliance of Murali, not for the last time though who picked up 5-34 bring England back to manageable territories after a promising opening stand. Marvan and Kalu anchored the chase with a 138 run second wicket stand following Sanath"s early dismissal. Sri Lanka romped home fuelled by Marvan's majestic 132 not out.

It was a short but memorable series in England, arguably the most scenic setting at that time. As Arjuna stood on the Lords balcony with undoubtedly one of the most beautiful silverware Sri Lanka has won it was another example of that Sri Lankan team pulling it off against the odds. Thus it remains one of the special moments in Lankan history, but nobody had the slightest of ideas what was in store in the one off test, not even Arjuna. Had he known what was in store, it would have been a much bigger smile on his face

(Sri Lanka would go on to annihilate England in the test match following this series which would go down in history as one of Sri Lanka's greatest wins, with Murali picking up 16 wickets)!!

Just another toss is it? Absolutely not...

🇱🇰 are well known for out of the box approaches on the field. But during the 2012 World T20 game against England 🇬🇧 the 🇱🇰 think thank did something which has never been done before or perhaps ever after.

The 2012 World T20 was a cricket carnival in every sense. The home team was on a roll and were hot favorites. Clinical perfomaces in the tournament had ensured a Semi Final birth a given prior to the last league game against 🇬🇧. However there was an issue. Skipper Mahela Jayawardene was one the cusp of a match ban if the team made another over rate offence. With stakes so high 🇱🇰 would no way risk MJs place in the semis.

It was toss time in Pallekelle. In walked Kumar Sangakkara for the toss. Everyone thought MJ was rested. But to everyone's surprise Mahela was playing. He would lead the team on the field. But on paper Sangakkara would be liable in case of an over rate offence at it would only be his first offence. Hence he didn't run the risk of a ban.

The future president of MCC, together with his tactically astute best friend and Manager Charith Senanayake had bent the rules in a smart move much to the astonishment of the cricketing fraternity.

The looks on the faces of those others at the toss is perhaps a reflection of how the cricketing world was caught off guard by 🇱🇰 boss move.

Sometimes you gotta give it to those who think out of the box. This was right up their.

Barely a year ago, facing 🇬🇧 in the 3rd ODI at Durham, post the infamous bubble breech 🇱🇰 were literally finding it hard to field a proper eleven. From there to this today it has been a commendable turn around. Long way to go yet meaningful progression 👏👏

If you are a Sri Lankan and have to interact with people from abroad it is one of the most depressing endeavours on le could imagine. A few months back the conversation starters would revolve around the splendour of the Island and what it had to offer, more often than not most would share their memorable experience in the country whilst others would express the desire to visit the nation that they have heard enough and more about. But today its quite different. There is empathy coupled with sympathy. While its nice to see people empathise it's sends sharpnel through the heart chambers to imagine the plummeting we have experienced as a nation.

If there was ever an analogy that resembles the nation's free fall undoubtedly it had to be our cricket. Once cherished and celebrated, thanks to the mismanagement of corrupt self serving individuals, the game that put the nation on the World map crumbled. Few months back when the Sri Lankan test team was castrated in Mohali by a top notch Indian attack many Indian friends couldn't belive what they saw. It couldn't be Sri Lanka, this wasn't the team that gave the big brother a run for their money for years. A rivalry right on par with any in the world. There was disbelief. Little did we know it was going to be the story of the whole nation in every aspect in a matter of weeks. As it turned out Cricket seemed to be a lead indicator for the nation's fate at least in a parallel universe.

In this context when Wanindu Hasaranga went for big money replacing Royal Challenger's Yuvendra Chahal it was massive. The expectations were big. A youngster from a bankrupt nation was stepping into the shoes of one of Bengaluru's favorite sons. RCB can be brutal. They splash big money and let go of you without a care. It can be humiliating. Imagine the world watching and not being able to deliver. Till today Wanindu has been hot and cold. He has delivered at crunch times yet been inconsistent compared to expectations.

But today it all changed. The cleaning up of oppositions best duo in Markram and Pooran followed by middle and lower order wickets in a way sent the message loud and clear. You Dont end up picking five wickets in four overs just like that. IPL can be cruel. In 2011 three Sri Lankans were leading respective franchises. In less than three years by 2014 the total number of Sri Lankans in the league was at best three. That's how fortunes changed its cut throat business. But thankfully this evening, the potential superstar of Sri Lanka's present, the hope of the newer generation stamped his mark in style.

It's a special moment. For a county which has lost all its glory and living in no hope with depression all around, one of its favorite sons delivering on one of the biggest stages in sporting world in style is definitely a moment to cherish.

There aren't many things that have the power to put a smile on Sri Lankan faces these days. If at all if there is any. But Wanindu Hasaranga surely would have made many of us remember how it feels to smile with the superlative effort on display today. Hope it's merely the beginning of bigger and better deeds. Afterall hope is the blood that keeps us alive these days.

And what more its so good to see someone who had ghe audacity to express explicit support to the peoples' struggle during its infancy when many of the more celebrated chosed to leave it safely aside using a watch and wait attitude achieve sucess. Good things happen to good people. Wanindu you deserve it 👏

Thankfully the next time when we interact with someone across the see, may be before they sympathise with we have something boast about " Hey did you see Wanindu's bowling that day? He is making a mark isn't he?". I bet its far better than whatever the available conversation starters available until today.

15 years ago on a day like this a star was emerged in carribean twilight..

Malinga makes the world take note- Heart break in Guyana

Lasith Malinga had made people take note of him in the 2006/07 season. Especially the searing yorkers that dismantled timber in Kiwi land in the run up to the World Cup had sent the message he was one to keep an eye. But he was still a rookie under the giant shadow of Murali- Vaas combination. Until it changed within a space of five balls.

Sri Lanka were up against the proteas in their opening fixture of the super eight stage. The proteas challenge was turning out to be sour. A mediocre batting performance had left Sri Lanka far behind with only 209 to defend. The Murali- Vass combination tried, yet could not create a significant impact.

Malinga the new sensation was erratic, hemorrhaging runs. The game was meandering along to a dull end. The skipper threw the ball to Malinga with Po***ck and Kallis looking to finish the formalities.

With 5 wickets in hand and 4 runs left to finish the game, Po***ck was deceived by a slower one that curled just enough to rattle the leg stump, making po***ck play inside the line. In walked Andrew Hall, former opening batsman and walks out as fast as he came in, lobbing a dolly to Tharanga in the covers, trying to steer a slow full length delivery through covers. With Vass following up with a tight over Malinga returned for on last fling at glory. With Kallis on strike surely the formalities had to be completed, alas another twist, an over pitched 140 plus outswinger, kisses Kallis's edge and lands safely in Sangakkara's hands. It wasnt just a hatrick, it was the first time a Sri Lankan was making the proteas crumble like a pack of cards. A hatrick achieved still 2 wickets left, those who were up at the odd hour were experiencing an adrenaline surge never experienced before by seeing a Sri lankan fast bowler. Surely this had to be it. It was surreal to continue. In comes Malinga outgoes Ntini, a lethal inswinging yorker at almost 145 Kmph cleaning up the timber.

On the verge of an unbelievable victory the reality sets in. Piterson's off stumps survives another vicious yorker by the margin of a coating on the stump. An edge follows, the inevitable happens. Sri Lanka lose, but there was a much bigger win. The world had seen the arrival of Slinga Malinga. It was not only Murali and Vass oppositions had to contend with, but Malinga too had announced himself. The fear factor had been instilled in opposing teams.

Just like that the rookie from Rathgama emerged from the shadows of Murali- Vaas combination and built up an aura one would have least imagined prior to that little phase in Guyana. It was just a tiny phase in vain that day but it sculpted an era of excitement and color in chapters of Sri Lankan cricket for the decade to follow

A Batter rejoicing on reaching a milestone is common place in Cricket. But at times some celebrations are special than the rest, because they have a story. Some of them are moments which turn the tide around for an individual or even teams. This moment where Hashan Tilekeratne is celebrating having scored a ton at Centurion Park in South Africa is a special moment for more reasons than one.

By 2002 Hashan had been part of the Sri Lankan set up for more than a decade. He had centuries in New Zealand as well as the notorious WACA in Perth, considered a torture chamber for subcontinent players. Then this shall not be so special right? Not really. Perhaps this has to be Hashan's best innings for Sri Lanka.

In 1999 Sri Lanka Cricket made it clear, youth were the way ahead. Big heads rolled. Hashan wasn't a surprise casualty as even in Tests he had meagre returns in the lead up to that point. At the age of 32, often considered a peak period for Batters Hashan was out of consideration. This would have been a body blow to a player of Hashan's stature. How one responds to adversity when written off is the backbone of many inspirational stories. Hashan's response was surely on those lines. Truck loads of runs in domestic Cricket meant Hashan made a comeback in 2001 against India at home. A century in the third test followed by some daddy knocks against visiting West Indies and Zimbabwe; together with marathon partnerships in collaboration with Thilan Samaraweera made Hashan indispensable in the short run. This alone one would think is inspirational. Had it stopped there no one could have complained. Yet it wasn't to be. Few failures abroad in England meant question marks were slowly emerging of Hashan's place in the side. It was in this backdrop that Sri Lanka embarked on a tour of South Africa months away from the ODI World Cup.

Around this time Barry Richards, a former great had written off Hashan's odds of succeeding in South Africa. In an era where the famous saying that the only drive possible in South Africa was between the ground and the hotel in a bus, with no scores to back his confidence and technique under scrutiny Hashan walked into bat in the first innings of the second test at Centurion Park. The score was 108-3. Facing upto an all out pace attack Hashan batted through the innings, reaching his century in the company of Muttiah Muralitharan. Hashan at the age of 35 became the first Sri Lankan to score a century in the rainbow nation.

A man who had all odds against him, written off and on the verge of an axe had triumphed all odds. Now does it end there? It doesn't. It gets better. Impressed by Hashan's ability to play in those conditions he was drafted into Sri Lanka's World Cup squad. He would feature in two match winning partnerships with skipper Sanath Jayasuriya in the opening game against the Kiwis as well as in a critical game against the West Indies in that world cup. A man who was thrown out unceremoniously through that knock at Centurion would not only make a comeback but also contribute in a World Cup campaign, quite contrary to the policy employed by the board four years earlier.

Now does it end there? Absolutely not. With Sanath relinquishing the leadership post World Cup the leadership reins for Tests would fall on Hashan's shoulders. He would lead Sri Lanka in some key series in the year that followed with a century against Kiwis his first test as official captain. The leadership returns weren't impressive. But that would not take away the inspirational nature of the turn around that was.

A man whose career was almost over would comeback and end on a high. While there were many key moments in that comeback journey one cannot understate the importance of this moment. A Test century in hostile conditions, against a gun attack. Celebrations on reaching milestones are commonplace. But stories aren't. This was definitely a moment worth narrating a story about and for that reason it will remain a special moment.

In early 2019 he was parachuted into the leadership position of a fast sinking ship. Not only in the format he excelled at but also in a format where he had lost touch. Dimuth Karunaratne wasn't a starter in ODIs. Yet when faced with the dual challenges, he aced both in his own style. A test series win in South Africa, a face saving World Cup campaign, a superlative 90 against the rampant Australian. No body would have seen any of these coming but that's Dimuth. When pushed against the wall he thrives.

Almost after 5 years since debut his career was going no where. The axe was hanging over his neck. There questions why he was persisted with. Credit to Sanath Jayasuriya and his committee they stuck with him. Its hard to imagine the current skipper got out stumped leaving a Nathan Lyon delivery against Australia at SSC in 2016. Yes out stumped leaving. You read it right. Thankfully for Sri Lanka a century against Bangladesh in trying conditions at P Sara Oval changed the tide for Dimuth. Something seemed to click. Ever since he hasn't been the same. It's safe to say Dimuth would have been hailed and celebrated more had he been part of a different set up. Dimuth's contributions often go down the drain in a set up where his colleagues crumble faster than the nations economy at every opportunity. Batsmen like bowlers dominate in pairs. Mahela- Sanga; Sanath- Marvan, Aravinda- Arjuna..but for Dimuth?, there is none. Its because of that reason that some of his absolute gems have been in vain. The career turning knock at P Sara against Bangladesh in 2017, 130 against Pakistan at Pallekalle in 2015, The 97 and a last innings century versus India at Galle and SSC in 2017 on minefields, 103 vs South Africa at Wanderers all have been in losing causes. It takes the shine off his achievements, for no fault of his own.

When Dimuth crossed his century at Benglauru last evening it had to be his best knock. Bumrah, Shami, Ashwin, Jadeja and Axar. You can't find a better attack to deal with than that. But wait was it his best? Perhaps not. Thats the biggest accolade he could garner. If you aren't sure whether this was his best that shows the calibre of Dimuth. When you think of players few knocks may blow you off your feet. That means they are good. But for rare few you are unsure whether you missed some. Thats the territory of greatness. Dimuth is certainly approaching that territory. I'm sure you may have missed the 150 back in 2015 at Hagley Oval or that 196 in Dubai Yeah?, one in a rare win. Yeah it happens. That's a sign of supremacy.

When you think of greats of this era there are many names that come to mind. But let me remind. None of them open. They don't do the dirty job. The hard work is done by the openers. In an era where bowling averages are at never seen lows, tracks which close games in 3 days more often tha not been an opener is like leading a battalion to war in unknown territory. You never know how and when you'll be ambushed. But you face it up for your colleagues.

How many opening batsmen come to mind in the last decade as successful at their trade. Graeme Smith, Alastair Cook..perhaps the list stops. Who are the best at present? Tom Latham, Dean Elgar and that's it may be. They aren't the glamorous poster boys. They Thrive on grit. Dimuth too does the same. You may not remember many shots he plays. When he played a reverse sweep in the nineties it seems like a moment for ages. He doesn't do that. He is happy to hibernate until the opponent gives in. He ain't going to hand his wicket to the bowler. That's why it took three peach of deliveries to get him out of the way in the series.

It seemed he wasn't going to stamp his authority in India. But hey isn't that when he thrives. When you give him no chance. That's what he does. That's what he did. A masterclass I every aspect. The skipper stood tall and proved that there is at least one to carry forward the legacy of greatness in Sri Lankan batting. He seems to be the sole soul to keep carrying it for near future. For his sake and our sake let us hope he finds a colleague or few soon. Until then lets celebrate and cherish him. He is unique and valuable in his own way just like his much more celebrated predecessors.

Take Dimuth out of the equation and imagine what would have been left from the Indian series. Terrifying even imagine right? That's why he is more valuable than he may seem.

Well played Dimuth Karunaratne. The nation is proud of you. And that's understatement make no mistake.