It’s in the land of uncertainty that the fate of the T20 World Cup to be played in Australia in October resides. It will depend how long the cruel Coronavirus continues to stick to the ‘bat’ if readers pardon me for the pun! With uncertainly comes the Sri Lankan refrain ‘ so what to do Machang’! God only knows!
The most hit cricket tournament is the Indian Premier League that brings in bags full of money to the international players who have signed to play for their respective franchises.
Some of those who are directly involved are even yearning for the IPL be played behind closed doors. If that happens then it be will be like a carnival without lights.
Spectators are a must. It is they who make the game interesting, lively and inspiring with their lusty cheering, making deafening noise and enjoying the action out in the middle with also their Papare bands in full cry.
Here in Sri Lanka there is a lot of uncertainty about the captaincy, after a blip in the form of regular skipper Lasith Malinga and the guessing game is whether he is fit to continue in that responsible position. Or whether he himself wants to do so?
Like in life there is no sympathy for losers. Losers are outcasts while winners are heroes. Malinga’s recent string of failures has made his future as captain uncertain But he is the spring that can shoot out with a surprise!
When Dinesh Chandimal was sadly out of form and there was no way that he could have continued as captain of the Test team, we who have played the game at the highest level and written about it for well over half century and closey studied the form and attributes of the players, made bold to mention and suggest the name of Dimuth Karunaratne to captain the Test team.
The selectors piloted by former Sri Lankan fast bowling all rounder Asantha de Mel and his team of Vinothan John, yet another menacing fast bowler and Chaminda Mendis a stylish batsman, did not take long to name Karunaratne as the Test team captain and Karunaratne delivered beyond expectations.
The selectors watching the exemplary manner in which Karunaratne was performing as captain, did not take long in appointing him to lead the one day team too. And here again he delivered to the satisfaction of all.
Now the writer makes bold to say that Karunaratne must be given the responsibility of captaincy of the all-important T20 team too. With him proving his capabilities in the Test and One Day formats, the selectors will not be faulted if they bestow the T20 captaincy on him. After all isn’t it said that those who dare win.
Karunaratne from the time he donned the captaincy cap has performed beyond expectations. Of course like all captains do, his team has at times walked into quicksand and lost games. That is part and parcel of the game and it was no different with his team.
Karunaratne has that something special in him when he is leading the team. He has a shrewd and clever thinking brain and has it in him where he could read the opponents strategy and make his moves accordingly.
In addition, he has an inspirational smile which seems to rub off on his team mates and the manner in which they react to him shows that he has the all important ingredient of inspiration that catches on with his team mates. This ultimately spells success. It’s the bottom line.
Karunaratne a stylish left hand batsman has the ability to change his style of batting according to the situation and occasion. He knows when to step on the pedal, go slow or change gears and accelerate because he is the complete batsman and captain.
So when the dreaded Coronavirus which carries the tag ‘made in China’ like most goods do in the country finish playing its life taking game and when the cricket selectors sit to pick the captain they have a simple task. If Malinga is ruled out, they need not split hairs but pencil down Dimuth Karunaratne as captain.
More often than not Sri Lanka Cricket has come in for criticism. SLC has taken it all in the spirit it has been made and have continued batting aware that the game is the thing.
With several organizations making donations to the government in its fight to rid the country of the dreaded Coronavirus it was pleasing to note the substantial donation of Rs 25 million by Sri Lanka Cricket to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
That gesture in this hour of need was much appreciated by all and Sri Lanka Cricket earned encomiums from all quarters. Financially sound sports bodies in the country are Sri Lanka Cricket and Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union.
We hope the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union will take the cue from Sri Lanka Cricket and score by making a donation to this worthy cause.