Hello Aravinda (Big Brother),
Greetings to you as the fourth Sri Lankan to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. It is an honor for me to extend my respects to you. However, I am finding it hard to express my feelings. Among the three of us here—myself, Sangakkara (Kumar Sangakkara), or Murali (Muttiah Muralitharan), we all unanimously agree that it was only fitting for you to be the first to come here.
We have all grown up watching you. We belong to that generation that was inspired by your achievements. The first time we saw you play, when you were around 9 or 10, trying to get your autograph was etched in our memories. Even then, you were relatively new to the Sri Lankan team, but you were already our best batsman. In our younger days, we all wanted to emulate you, the way you played.
You used to tell us to play in a certain way, but the importance you placed on adaptability was evident. Whether it was the stance or the backlift, it seemed like you were constantly evolving. Adjusting to swing or facing the third delivery differently—making these changes was a challenge! But it was a cricketing intellect hinting at subtleties, a connection that would later define my introduction to the game.
Certainly, your innings in the 1996 World Cup final will be remembered forever. The unbeaten century, along with the remarkable partnership of 3 wickets against Australia, was extraordinary. At the age of 18, that final was a big moment for me too. It was my last inter-school “big match” at Nalanda College. Those two days of the encounter were intense. Thousands of people came on Saturday; however, on Sunday, apart from our parents and prefects, no one else was present. When you came in and we were at 23 runs with 2 wickets down, we were in trouble. But the look in your eyes assured us. You had shown us that spirit in the semifinal as well, when we were struggling against India. Then, you took the attack to them.
How you controlled the game in the final will always be in my mind. That drive, the flicks, the pull, and the third wicket partnership with Arjuna Ranatunga were something to behold! We celebrated deep into the night on the streets, and those memories are still vivid.
You are a player who went ahead of his time. In that aggressive Sri Lankan team, no other batsman played fast bowling as well as you did. Australia always tried to intimidate Sri Lanka with their fast bowling, but you never succumbed. You always took them on. Your presence was always a challenge to them.
In the final against Australia, your innings instilled confidence in our generation that we could play the brand of cricket you demonstrated. You believed we could beat anyone in the world.
Being in the dressing room with you and other World Cup-winning teammates a year later was a surreal experience for me. It was like being in the presence of greatness. The first day of the Test captaincy, entering the dressing room and seeing everyone having their own place—I was waiting to see where I fit. Fortunately, your two places were next to each other, and there was a vacant chair. From that moment, I knew that I wanted to talk about cricket with you. Asking you questions and seeking your advice—those moments have shaped me. I hope you are not bored! Scoring 952 runs for 6 wickets against India in my first Test as captain, and the batting partnership with you, was an honor.
Being in the slip cordon with you was a learning experience. Normally, you stood in the first slip, explaining how the batsman was playing and what the bowler should do. I remember how you described the plan to get Chaminda Vaas to angle the ball in and swing it back. What a fantastic insight!
Of course, your club’s gatherings might not have been as enjoyable for you as they were for us. Whether it was opening the shoes in the slip or someone using a cardboard to get a sandwich out of a pocket—those times were never dull. I can’t be sure if your clubmates had as much fun with you as I did.
Your leadership on the field, especially during national duties, was always light-hearted. We, the first generation, who have grown up with a fitness culture, appreciated your emphasis on fitness in the cricketing culture. You made us understand that the game is always evolving. Your influence on the field and off the field, in my career, is something I can’t thank you enough for.
Congratulations on becoming an ICC Hall of Famer, my friend.
Mahela.
