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February, 13
- ANISH VENKATA
We relished the sight of two of the greatest batsmen of the generation batting together for over a decade and we have seen everything they have done to attain greatness. Their bonding gave beautiful moments and lasted for a very long time. It was a great success. But everything must end, no matter how great or successful they have been.
Over the years, Mahela and Sanga, found their names entering cricket folklore every time the national team took to the field irrespective of the format. The duo took spotlight just around the time when the euphoric glory of 1996 World Cup victory was fading away and brought dynamism to Sri Lankan cricket changing the way it looked like and was thought of by the viewers.
They both beautified Sri Lankan batting with stroke making born out of purity. Their elegance and the bliss dazzled the bowlers after they have dismissed to a boundary. The silky and the deft touch of timing with no brash intent to whirlwind the ball over the boundary line made them fan’s favourite, commentator’s favourite, analysts favourite….Everyone’s favourite.
The tales of their fortunes have been so connected to each other ever since they made their debut at the top level. The bonding they shared dates back 20 years when they first met as opponents in a match between their schools. They were opponents first but later turned friends as they shared a special vision and passion towards cricket in Sri Lanka.
They etched their legacy at international level building gigantic partnerships structuring Sri Lanka to become one of the heavyweights of cricket once again. They were adored as demigods for their accomplishments. They have been record-breakers and were irreplaceable for more than 15 years in the Sri Lankan middle order. They further cemented their names in cricketing history when they set a record for the highest Test partnership with 626 runs – A record that still stands.
However, an illustrious bond prolonging to more than 15 years is bound to hit a rough side as well. Despite the presence of these two brilliant cricketers, Sri Lanka fell at the final hurdle in 4 World Cups in the last 7 years. But cricket is often known to conjure a fairy-tale ending and it would be a cruel ending if these prolific players do not get their golden moment.
There have been so many matches where Sangakkara and Jayawardene have played together serving relentlessly to the game of cricket and their nation for the last decade and a half. In the quest to bask in for a glory, they stumbled in the mid way and sometimes too close to the finishing line. They never savoured a happy ending to their story that suffered many heart breaks and defeats.
But this time, the moment beckons to have their hands on the coveted trophy one last time making their island nation proud. Cometh,February 14th the stage is set for the two workhorses of Sri Lankan cricket to work their magic for a final time- talking nostalgically and reminiscing about the bond they shared together to bring back the lost glory once their predecessors claimed to have. And while these two men, the closest of friends, bid adieu, they would walk off with glittering applause and a deserving standing ovation that would stay in everyone’s memories as a moment to remember.. forever and ever in Sri Lankan cricket history.
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