In the era of t-20, upul tharanga, As a batsman, doesn’t possess threat to bowlers. But, yesterday, during the Sri Lanka’s run chase in the 4th ODI, the world cricket witnessed a destroyer tharanga. He was not blindly sloging, he was not hurriedly going after every ball. Instead, it was an remarkable innings, filled with glorious clean hitting, with pure timing.
He was the captain of the team, they had already squandered the series by 3-0, and their oposittion had posted a mammoth target of 368.
But, this time, tharanga didn’t panic, neither his team. Alongwith Niroshan Dickwella, he launched a counter attack, Sri Lanka fans seldom witness theses days. And, till the very last, Sri Lanka were in the match.
Yes, at last, they defetead. But, under the leadership of tharanga, first time, they fought till last, only then, they lost.
As a team, their pride has taken a serious hit, in this tour. but, yesterday, they were showing the courage, they were trying to compete, they were trying to win the game for their fans, for their country.
That’s why, Sri Lanka need tharanga, as a captain. He doesn’t speak English as fluently, as Angelo Mathews does. He, probably, is not as vocal in the field, as Dinesh Chandimal.
But, he seems a leader, who can inspires his team. He seems a leader, who can rise his game, with added responsibility of being a captain. He is an ultimate team man. Even if had been largely out of the team in last few years, he always used to support his team, he always used to encourage youngsters, as these clearly visible on his social accounts.
These things, which are the indegrent of any captain, had not been with either Mathews or Chandimal.
Over the last few years, his career has been intrupted many times, reason best known to Sri Lanka selectors and management. But, he is back. Not only in yesterday’s innings, he has been playing some good cricket since last few months.
It’s time to look beyond mathews and chandimal. It’s time to trust on tharanga.
