Meet the real stars behind Sri Lanka’s amazing triumph in Asia Cup
Meet the real stars behind Sri Lanka’s amazing triumph in Asia Cup: Hasaranga and Rajapaksa led Sri Lanka’s fairytale Asia Cup win. Unfamiliar and modest names played a key role in a victory that could restore Sri Lankan cricket’s status.
Dasun Shanaka, the Captain Cool
The all-rounder wasn’t a future captain. He wasn’t even a regular player when he became captain last year. Public outrage and TV debates ensued.
Few choices existed. Kusal Perera, the captain, and Kusal Mendis violated Covid-19 policy. Rajapaksa was banned for criticizing selectors and the board. Hasaranga hesitated. Shanaka’s crown collapsed. An early spat with coach Micky Arthur over tactics was embarrassing. Sri Lanka lost 10 of 14 games before the Asia Cup. His country has an economic catastrophe. Disillusionment spread.
Shanaka stayed calm during the chaos. He picked players he wanted, instilled confidence, and led from the front. Aside from Afghanistan, he made all the necessary moves, field alterations, and changes. Drafting Dhananjay de Silva and giving Pramod Madushan his debut against Pakistan.
De Silva’s 24 off Madushan eased early pressure in the final. Even when some older players had a tough stretch, he had faith in them. Sri Lanka’s top-scorer, Kusal Mendis, or Pathum Nissanka. He would wrap his arm around bowlers or fielders who were hit. He cheered when his shoulders plummeted. He was the first to congratulate someone on a great save. Sri Lanka finally looks like a team.
Even in the press conference, he spoke up for the players and asked for privacy. He said, “Trust our cricketers.” “There are several problems. Cricketers should enjoy life and not propagate negativity. They’re also private. Keep believing. As captain, I give players confidence. I can’t ask for more.”
When necessary, he’s severe. He urged the batters to improve after their poor performance against Afghanistan. He warned each of them their World Cup spot was uncertain. “We had potential, but we needed to utilize it in game situations. Everyone stood up for a conversation. The team and coaching staff’s environment paid off.”
Arthur was a raving fan. Dasun possesses self-confidence and empowers his team. Arthur told Sunday Island that he leads by example in his performance, training, and practice.
Most noteworthy about his leadership is that he doesn’t consider it a burden but a “joy.”
Dilshan Madushanka, pace-setter
He was a potential fast bowler before the tournament. Sri Lanka has seen numerous promising bowlers stall on the international scene in the last decade. Madushanka has graduated to the world stage.
The left arm is fast, can seam both ways, generate uncomfortable bounce, and has a ferocity that some Sri Lankan pacemen lack. Wasim Akram compared him to a young Chaminda Vaas after he dismissed Virat Kohli and disturbed Babar Azam in the Super Four and final.
His rise ends with a compelling backstory. From a Hambantota fishing town, he hadn’t seen a leather ball until age 17. He played softball cricket in the neighborhood to support his father, not because he loved the game. “Before coming to Colombo for Sri Lanka under-19 sessions, I only played softball cricket.
We attended every tournament. Never on weekends. Sometimes we played all night and came home the next evening,” he told papare.com.
Because he couldn’t afford softball equipment, he played most of his career barefoot. He received a notice for the U-19 trials and decided to attend. He borrowed a ratty pair from a friend and bowled well. The next day, an unknown number called his third-hand cell phone. It’s then-U-19 coach Chaminda Vaas. Two days later, he joined the U-19 team, and two years later, he made the national team, living his ambition.
Pramod Madushan, the old kid on the block
His journey is the opposite of Madushanka’s. Early in his career, he was a medium-pace bowler who received few chances on spinner-friendly Indian pitches. In seven years, he’s played 31 first-class games. He switched clubs, but nothing changed. His pals urged him to keep playing after he decided to quit.
He sped up, became skiddish, invented the slow bouncer, and worked on his batting. Galle Gladiators harnessed his white-ball talent. “I didn’t know I was a good T20 bowler until this. In an interview, he remarked, “My life changed.” Soon, national selectors put him on the A team. Four wickets versus Australia A and domestic improvement helped.
He jumped at the international opportunity. Shanaka confessed picking him was a risk, but it paid off when he took four wickets in the final, including Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.
“Madushan promises skill and maturity. We knew him from the beginning of his domestic career, but we had to take a chance. Madushan has outstanding capabilities and a bright future. Shanaka would reply, “Delighted he produced in his second game; glad he rewarded our risk.”
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, fire and ice combo
Both are well-known, yet they need to prove themselves. Once considered the future of Sri Lankan batting, Mendis struggled with inconsistency and injury.
Nissanka’s issues were different, as his 115 strike rate in 29 games shows. Nissanka offered Shanaka solidity at the top of the order, scoring two half-centuries against India and Pakistan in the Super Four and a brave 35 against Afghanistan.
Mendis had the greatest strike rate among batters, 156.56. Kusal set the tone. He’s led well. “His batting is maturing, he’s accepting more responsibility, and he’s showing more consistency,” coach Chris Silverwood said.
Sri Lanka has a core of men who can restore its glories. “This might be the turnaround in our cricket; this lot can play for five-six years,” Shanaka added.
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