Sri Dharmaloka and Gurukula clash for 21st time

EDWARD WEERASINGHE Kelaniya group correspondent

Sri Dharmaloka Maha Vidyalaya Kelaniya and Gurukula College, Kelaniya will clash for the 21st year in Kelaniya's Big Match at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on March 25 and 26.

The one day match will also be played at the same venue on April 5 for the 18th year.

Of the 20 encounters that have been played in the series, all the matches have ended in draws.

One day matches tally is Sri Dharmaloka won 10 and Gurukula College seven. Fifth year coloursman Rashmika Madhuranga Perera leads the Sri Dharmaloka team with fifth year coloursman Iranga Krishan as his deputy.

Captain Rashmika a clever all rounder is a very keen left arm spinner. He captured 8 wickets for 25 runs at the last Big Match which was a ground record at R. Premadasa cricket stadium.

He has captured 73 wickets in 11 matches this season and the best was taking 9 wickets for 21 runs against St. Thomas College, Bandarawela. Being a clever left hand batsman he has scored 551 runs with a century and two half centuries this season.

He represented the under 19 provincial team and district team and was their vice captain.

He played in the 'Sirasa' 20-20 cricket tournament being the vice-captain of Basnahira Gladiators.

His deputy Iranga Krishan is also a fifth year coloursman and the wicket keeper of the side.

He has claimed 16 victims behind the wicket in 10 matches. A clever right hand batsman who has scored 852 runs with three centuries and seven half centuries. The best score is 135 against Nalanda College. Gurukula team is captained by G. Salitha, 5th year coloursman, middle order batsman, right arm fast bowler and good all rounder. He has scored over 300 runs and captured 20 wickets.

Sri Dharmaloka other players: Madhushanka Pasindu Ratnayake, 2nd year coloursman. A clever right hand batsman who has scored 824 runs with a century and seven half centuries.

Duminda Shanaka Kulathunga 2nd year coloursman, right hand batsman who has scored 298 runs with two half centuries. Nilanka Subodha, 3rd year coloursman. A clever right hand batsman who has scored 356 runs with one century and a half century.

Pasindu Samaraweera third year coloursman. A clever left hand batsman who has scored 263 runs in 11 matches.

The others are Sameera Madhushanka, Chathura Lakmina, Pradeep Sampath, Gayantha Anjana, Lahiru Buddhika, Suminda Roshan, Manuka Salinda, Yasas Arunoda and Thilina Pushpitha Wickremasinghe.

Gurukula team - S. Niwanka, 5th year coloursman, middle order batsman, right arm off break bowler, has scored over 400 runs with five cent centuries. Captured 32 wickets. R. Bandara 3rd year coloursman, opening batsman of the team. Good left arm spin bowler.

He took 25 wickets for the season. D. Sampath: 3rd year coloursman, right arm fast bowler who has captured 25 wickets in the season. Others are R. Koththagoda, K. Udara, T. Lakshitha, Madushan Chathuranga, Gayan Buddhika, Nilendra Prabath, Gayan Sankapala, Sameera Jayasekera, Umesh Niroshan and Roshan Anuruddha.