Sanath Jayasuriya, my favourite cricketer, every bowler's favourite victim, what an icon he has been for Sri Lankan cricket, if not for the International game of cricket overall. He revolutionized the one day game to what it is today and has broken/created multitude of records, most we aren't even aware of. He's a humble man from the southern tip of Sri Lanka with an undying passion for the game and despite all the fame, glory and respect he has earned from fellow crickets and fans all over the world, he still remains to be so. His mere presence in team makes a world of difference and one wonders (damn...that sounded like Ranjith Fernando), let me rephrase that: I wonder how the Sri Lankan cricketing fans would bear when he departs from the game for good.
Ok ok...enough of the ado. This post is not a history roll out on Sanath and his achievements in the game. I just wanted to share with you all a thought that came upon me following the Bangladesh series that ended yesterday. Sanath Scored a little over 50 runs in the series but bagged 9 wickets, which eventually won him the Man of the Series award. Sanath started as a left arm spinner in the early 90s before he earned the title of being the official Master Blaster in the game on his way to becoming the batsman legend that he is today. But taking his performance during the last series in to consideration, is he going back to being just a bowler who can bat, like when he started his career? has he lost the 'mojo' for destruction? Is he a spent shell? OR am I thinking like a typical Sri Lankan? Well, I think its the latter :)
We Sri Lankans, not all, but most, tend to degrade a person simple by focusing on the present. He didnt score that many runs and did not display a fluent picture of batting, but hey, he made sure he contributed with wickets. Thats the buoyancy of the man. He's a battleship with all kinds of armour. A selfless cricketer who would sacrifice everything to earn a victory for the country. Why is he the Greatest All-rounder the gentlemen's game has ever produced? I think I know, I know you do too. Sanath, you have always been one of the greatest ambassadors to represent this glorious nation, your job is not over, may it never ever be!
