Mahela may be the hero in 2011 World Cup

Kasturiarachchi Warnakulasuriya

Mahela Jayawardena whose cricketing career was not a bed of roses, emerged as a national player after his illustrious Nalanda College school cricket career in 1997, stepping out in a record breaking match where then veterans Roshan Mahanama and Sanath Jayasuriya shared a partnership of 576 against India at Kettarama Stadium. Mahela's maiden contribution was 66 playing with Sri Lanka's top most senior batsman Aravinda de Silva.

From there onwards there was no looking back at his fourth appearance he was able to compile a century 167 playing against NZ as the first centurian at the newly opened Galle International Stadium.

The man of the match award was presented to Mahela in the match having 18 fours in a 278 ball encounters.

When he appeared for the seventh time for Sri Lanka, he was able to grab a double ton in 1999 against India as in 1997 at the R Premadasa Stadium. This match was a one man show of Mahela when all his veterans had been sent to the pavilion.

He amassed 242 runs with 30 hits to the ropes and two giant sixes facing then veteran bowlers of India sending them to every nook and corner of the ground.

The more the Indians missed catches, Mahela was determined to go ahead single handed. As far as his scribe can remember it was not less than five occasions. This match alone proved his matter as a born consistent batsman, though he was changed later when there were 'downs' from time to time.

He was appointed the skipper of the side for a two match encounter against Bangladesh in 2006 when Sanath Jayasuriya stepped down from captainship.

Mahela was triumph in these two maiden encounters as the newly appointed captain. Until 2009 under his able captaincy Sri Lanka had been able to win 14 matches while four matches were drawn, losing only seven in a Test series of 26 against almost all top Test playing nations.

There had been splendid victories against England, India and S Africa during the sorjourn. This included the 62 partnership with Kumar Sangakkara compiled against S Africa in a world record of triple century is a dream in world cricket. He was able to engage in that world record also coming nearer to Brian Lara in 2006, against S Africa.

Mahela with all these amazing world records equaled Don Bradman's too, by being player who amazed the highest number of runs in a given Test playing venue. He is in the front-line by being the most successful player in compiling double tons.

This whole episode reveals how Mahela had been a shining star to Sri Lanka cricket since his debut in 1997 to date. Had not for his 'downs' at times, he will be recognized as the best batsman in the world not only as a one time best captain, surpassing India's 'little master' Mahela's 24 Test century so far, vie for that.

Such a born, talented cricketer a seasoned campaigner like Mahela with more than 100 Test matches to his credits should be number one showpiece for Sri Lanka as that of veteran Aravinda of 1996, World Cup fame. All the best Mahela! Done it boy on several crucial occasions. You can repeat that, this season too in the World Cup.