When fortunes were reversed

When Sri Lanka crushed India in the last league match of the Compaq Cup, a friend of mine, a die-hard cricket fan, said the result of the final could well be reversed.

He made this wild guess - predicted Sri Lanka to lose the toss, India to put 300 plus on the board and then for the home team to surrender meekly under lights.

Though many of us laughed at him at that time, considering the champagne cricket dished out by Sri Lanka, his prediction has now been proved right.

The two opponents the hosts had in the three-nation tournament, India and New Zealand, were well ahead of seventh-placed Sri Lanka in the ICC one day international (ODI) rankings. India was in the second slot while the Kiwis were placed fourth.

Hot favourites

Even after Sri Lanka beat New Zealand in the first game, many expected the Indo-Lanka affair to be a thriller. Of course, the Indians were the hot favourites but it was 'Matara Mauler' Sanath Jayasuriya who was instrumental in shauttering India's dream in the last league match.

Prior to this game, many critics and those who have never held a bat, mercilessly wrote loads of rubbish to throw Jayasuriya out of the team. But once again, Jayasuriya's broad willow made his critics eat their own words.

The two big-mouthed international TV commentators Danny Morrison and Mike Haysman often referred to Jayasuriya as the 'Old Man' and its highly unfair for the two 'Old Commentators' to do so.

At least now, these irresponsible critics, both local and international, should learn a lesson and mete out justice to the greatest ever cricketer in ODIs. It is a big gamble to criticise Jayasuriya because you would never know when that 'big treat' comes from his bat.

Indispensible

I am not forgetting the fact that Jayasuriya should retire one fine day. No one is indispensible in any trade. May be we could never find a cricketer who could even come closer to his greatest achievements but when the time comes, Jayasuriya must call it a day.

However, Jayasuriya has not shown any signs of ageing when it comes to his cricketing prowess. Only his birth certificate would tell that he is 40 plus, but certainly the level of fitness he maintains is incredible.

He could still run fast between the wickets, matching 20 plus youngsters in the team, or even better at times. His still has a sharp eye on the ball and his fielding too has been spot on. He is not depriving anybody a chance until he becomes a liability to the team.

It was Jayasuriya's hurricane knock of 98 off just 79 balls which masterminded that great 139-win over India.

His merciless innings not only paved way for a commanding Sri Lankan total of 307 for 6 in 50, but also inspired young Thilina Kandamby to make an unbeaten 91. Jayasuriya demoralised the Indian bowlers and that enabled Kandamby to have a relatively easy go.

Under lights

It was the two great innings of Jayasuriya and Kandamby that put pressure on the Indian batsmen under lights.

It was nice to see emerging international star, young Angelo Mathews, grabbing each and every opportunity he gets, both with bat and ball. Having made only 19 runs as a batsman, Mathews proved his talent with the ball, finishing with a career best 6 for 20 to bowl out the powerful Indian batting line up for 168 in 37.2 overs.

Unfortunately Sri Lanka lost an all-important toss at Premadasa Stadium in Monday's final and the result was evident from the very first over. This time, it was Indian veteran Sachin Tendulkar who proved the saying Old is Gold. It is the experience that matters most of time in the big league and the 36-year-old Indian master batsman endorsed this once more with a majestic 138 off 133 balls as India posted a healthy 319 for 5.

A target of 320 under lights at Premadasa Stadium is always a gigantic task.

But once again, Jayasuriya, joined by Tillakaratne Dilshan, gave Sri Lanka the perfect start they were looking for - 64 runs for the first wicket in 7.5 overs. But with the departure of Dilshan for 42 and Jayasuriya for 36, Sri Lanka lost their grip after the first ten overs.

Adding salt to Sri Lanka's wounds were the poor form of Mahela Jayawardene and the mishap by skipper Kumar Sangakkara. When Sri Lanka lost the fifth wicket at 131 in the 18th over, the hosts still had an outside chance as Sangakkara was shaping well with Kandamby.

Hit wicket

But Sangakkara went back to the kindergarten of cricket as he was needlessly out hit wicket. His bat slipped out of his hand after a stroke and it landed on his stumps, the worst thing that could one expect from a seasoned campaigner a veteran of 254 ODIs and 85 Tests.

We are no experts to advise him on the batting basics but unfortunately, he failed to produce that captain's knock when it mattered most.

If he had been there to support Kandamby, Sri Lanka would have turned the match in their favour. It was evident when Kandamby and Chamara Kapugedara were raising the last hopes of home supporters, adding 70 runs for the seventh wicket in 15 overs.

Despite numerous opportunities he has got, Kapugedara has often failed to deliver, failing to convert his 20s and 30s into match winning innings. He has been fortunate enough to play in 66 ODIs with an average of only 22.35.

Nevertheless, one cannot single out a player or two for the defeat but the entire middle order must take the blame for the failure after that solid start. Even then, it was a tall order and our bowlers let the Indians score runs as they wished.

Lasith Malinga lavishly gave away 81 runs off his ten overs.

If we had been able to contain the Indians for around 280, Sri Lanka would have given a close fight and perhaps emerged champions.