E Rodrigopulle: Arjuna Ranatunga the Great (19 July 1997)
Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka's `captain cool' played an innings that will be ranked with the best in one-day international cricket to steer his side to an emphatic and convincing victory over the defending champions India in the Sixth Pepsi Asia Cup
19-Jul-1997
19 July 1997
Arjuna Ranatunga the Great
Elmo Rodrigopulle
Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka's `captain cool' played an innings that will
be ranked with the best in one-day international cricket to steer his side
to an emphatic and convincing victory over the defending champions India
in the Sixth Pepsi Asia Cup match at the R. Premadasa International
Cricket Stadium, yesterday.
Ranatunga who usually leads from the front on the field, took on the
responsibility as batsman after his side lost Jayasuriya and Aravinda de
Silva early, and he showed the way with a magnificent innings of his 131.
GOOD LOOK
From the time he arrived at the wicket he was the master. The sad
scoreboard that stared at him on his arrival did not deter or worry him at
all. He had a good look at the bowlers and once he got the measure of
them, began to make them dance to his tune.
His innings was worth its weight in gold. It was cool, calm, collected and
a lesson in how to demoralise an attack that at one stage looked on top.
His timing was from out of this world and with some wristy and beefy
strokeplay saw the ball speed to the boundary like a rocket.
With this innings he booked his team a berth in the final. Sri Lanka now
have only to meet Bangladesh and that game should be a cake walk.
RESOUNDING CHEERS
When he reached the magical three-figure mark, the entire stadium of
nearly 40 thousand spectators stood up to break into resounding cheers
acknowledging that he was indeed the master. What delight Ranatunga showed
when he reached his century.
In the morning when he won the toss he had read the wicket well and
invited India to take strike. He saw to it that his bowlers bowled wicket
to wicket which did not allow the batsmen any freedom.
It was apparent from the first ball that it was a slow wicket which was
not going to be to the liking of the batsmen. And that is how it stayed as
India struggled for runs losing three wickets early.
OLD FORM
It was then that the man despised by Indian cricket at one time Mohammed
Azharuddin walked in to take strike. He showed that he has not lost any of
his old form, flair for the game or the urge to make runs as he along with
Rahul Dravid began to restore the innings.
Azharuddin in particular played sensibly and cleverly and with this
innings of 81 not out enhanced his chances of regaining the captaincy that
he has lost to Tendulkar.
It was his partnership of 117 with Dravid that took India to 227 which
score at one time did not look possible.
The Sri Lankan bowlers and fielders again did their part to perfection and
it was a memorable debut for the young and promising Lanka de Silva who
kept two wickets competently holding on to a catch and cleverly stumping
Jadeja. He also showed his ability as a batsman by helping his captain in
a big stand that saw them through to victory.
COMPREHENSIVE VICTORY
When Sri Lanka batted and lost Jayasuriya and De Silva, it looked as
though it would be a struggle. But then Ranatunga, Atapattu and De Silva
had other ideas and finally saw their team to a comprehensive victory.
Ranatunga will certainly remember this innings for a long time to come.
Who said that he is not god's gift to the game?