When he first came in to the Sri Lanka test team against Zimbabwe, there were questions- what the hell he is doing in the team, when it’s time to groom youngsters, at against weaker teams, so they can gain the international experience. When he made a test hundred against Zimbabwe, we thought OK, he is a good test batsman. When he was included in the ODI squad against South Africa, there were questions again- though he made a hundred against a weaker team, what the hell he is doing in one day team. he hit back on our faces, with a sparkling hundred again, in the fifth ODI against South Africa.
Then he was selected for the t20 series against Australia. And surprisingly, there were doubts again- oh god! he seems a good test and ODI batsman, but what the hell he is doing in the t20 team. he do not seems a big hitter at all!
So, today, he played one of the best ever t20 innings, to win a game, and series for his country, against Australia! And, it was a great innings ever, indeed.
Chasing a stiff target of 174, Sri Lanka were reeling, as five wickets went down within first five overs. then started a partnership between gunarathne and kapugedera. kapugedera perished, as he tried to catch up the sky high run rate. but, gunarathhne was still there. he didn’t give up. he had other plans, and he kept trying. And, in the end, he won!
So, at least now, there should be no doubts about gunarathne. Instead, it is the time to admire, to applause, and to give him due credit.
After the high profile retirements of Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Tilakratne Dilshan, there were few players, who made a test century. there very few, Who made a ODI hundred. And, there were no one at all, Who played great t20 innings like that.
But, within four months of time, asela gunarathne have done it all. He may not fluent in speaking English. Surely, he has not a charimetic personality, like his some other high profile teammates.
But, he knows how to win the games for his team, for his country. And this is the most important quality for any player, in any sports. And, asela certainly have these qualities!
In the so called era of transition, Sri Lanka have unearthed a real match winner. So, indeed, it’s time to salute that match winner!
