Gurukula - a force to be reckoned with

S M Jiffrey Abdeen Kandy Sports Correspondent

Gurukula Vidyalaya, Kelaniya, is a little school which has come up the hard way at cricket and it was performance alone which made them come to the top and play with leading schools in the country. Last year playing the Schools Under 19 Division one cricket tournament they put up an overall plucky performance having won 10 matches outright out of the 16 they played. They lost only two.

All this makes them a team to be watched and they are capable of many upsets.

Gurukula Vidyalaya will be led this year by fourth year coloursman and all-rounder Nalin Perera a top medium pacer and a hard hitting batsman. Batting at No. 4 last year he scored over 850 runs which included six half centuries and also captured 51 wickets with his medium pacer and he will be one of their main strike bowlers.

Another fourth year coloursman and all-rounder Hasjan Dumindu is the vice captain of the side. An attacking right hand bat who was very unfortunate to miss 1,000 runs - scoring 967 runs for the season. He scored two centuries during the season against St Joseph's College and Raddoluwa Maha Vidyalaya. His off spinners brought him a haul of 54 wickets. He also played in the under 19 provincial matches and scored two fifties. Last year's skipper Roshan Anuruddha is available for another season and his presence should be an inspiration. Another attacking right hand bat who scored 550 runs and his right arm medium pacers brought him 61 wickets. This year he will be opening the attack.

The wicket keeper batsman and third year coloursman Lisula Lakshan was outstanding last season scoring 750 runs and had 40 victims behind the stumps.

Nalin Perera (Captain)

Hashan Dumindu (Vice Captain)

The others who did well last season and are available this season are Kasun Madusanka (350 runs), Namal Pathum (right hand bat 372 runs and right arm leg spinner 28 wickets), Sashin Dilranga (325 runs), Nipul Maduka (260 runs).

The others fighting for places in the side are Lahiru Madhushan, Lahiru Chamara, Chanaka Dilshan, Anjana Nimnath, Christie Ashan, Janith Wijesuriya, Shehan Lakshitha, Kasun Jayasanka, Damitha Hasitha, Jayamal Wanniarachchi, Tharindu Tharaka, Dumindu Themiya.

Their coach Lal Senaratne said that the team is packed with all-rounders and their strong point is their batting line up and the spin attack. Rshish Dinesh is the Assistant Coach. Mahesh Sirimevan is the Master-in-charge.

Hashan Dumindu and Roshan Anuruddha played for the junior national team and toured India while Lisula Lakshan played for the Western Province North Outer team in the inter-Provincial under 19 matches.

They have this year played six matches winning one match against Sri Sumangala College, Panadura while they have drawn their matches against Joseph Vaz College, Trinity College, Moratu Vidyalaya, Carey College and Mahanama College.