Mahela Jayawardene - Great batsman, leader and a lovely ambassador of cricket: Tribute from an Indian fan
Even as much of cricketing world was focussed on yet another Indian loss abroad in England, a lynchpin and a masterful technician of Sri Lankan cricket quietly bowed out of Test cricket in Colombo on August 16.
Denagamage Praboth Mahela de Silva Jayawardene, or simply Mahela Jayawardene, a legend and a player synonymous with Sri Lankan cricket for over 17 years now, hung up his Test boots after playing his last match on home soil against Pakistan, where he managed a score of 54 and bowed out with a win.
A prolific run-scorer, a shrewd thinker, a sharp fielder and a thorough gentleman, Mahela is one of the finest cricketers the island has produced and he leaves behind a void which will not be filled easily.
The Sri Lankan dodged a family tragedy and overcame his brother’s death to brain tumour, finally making his debut in 1997 against India, under the watchful eyes of Arvind de Silva and Arjuna Ranatunga. He ensured their absence wasn't felt after they retired as he, along with Kumar Sangakkara, heralded a seamless transition to the next generation.
The run-machine
Jayawardene made his debut in the historic Test against India where SL scored 952/6 - the highest total in the history of the game. In this colossal total, his score of 66 hardly stood out, but the game added to his hunger and over the years he amassed 11814 runs in 149 games at an astonishing average of around 50. He became the first Sri Lankan to cross the 11,000 run mark and went past Don's 29 centuries in Galle, eventually finishing with 34 hundreds.
He was like a man possessed when on the field - he put a prize on his wicket and often led his team to victory when the chips were down. His seven double tons including a triple, testify his love for batting for long hours.
His first century was scored in only his fourth Test match against India and over the years he took a special liking to the country, scoring 6 centuries with two double tons against them. His technicality and his mere presence made him a threat to any team and along with the players, the fans too hoped to see the back of him soon.
A great nonetheless, his batting brought great joy to even opposition fans. In an age when innovation was making its presence felt (with his own teammate coming out with the 'Dilscoop'), watching Mahela's old world batting techniques with the traditional drives and flicks remained a joyful experience.
Leading from the front
After a not so successful captaincy stint of Sanath Jayasuriya, the onus fell on young Jayawardene in 2006 to lead a team which was a mix of both senior and young players, unite them, bring out the potential of each player and to see the team through an inconsistent phase.
This phase revived the fortunes of Sri Lankan cricket. Scintillating performances against England, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia proved his team could do well outside the subcontinent and slowly but surely, they became a force to reckon with. The team under Mahela was making an impact and reached its peak when the they entered the finals of the 2007 World Cup held in the bouncy conditions of West Indies.
True he succumbed to great lows during this period as captain. Though his captaincy lacked aggression at times, he pulled his team forward with him and never for once accepted failure. It was a challenge but he even during a run of poor form, he was full of grace and humility. Even when the world around him questioned his choices, he backed his boys, believed in them and gave them a chance at success and that is why the likes of Chaminda Vaas and Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga and Sangakkara blossomed under his captaincy.
Geoff Marsh did not call him Sri Lanka’s best captain for no reason.
Sanga-wardene - the unbreakable bond
Kumar Sangakkara, in his debut match in 2000 against South Africa, came together with his teammate Jayawardene and put up 81 runs for the fifth wicket. This was the start of an unbreakable friendship, something rarely seen on the cricket arena.
Together, the duo stitched some memorable performances, with their world record partnership of 624 in 2006 standing out. After South Africa were bowled out for 169 at SSC in Colombo, the pair came together for the highest partnership in Test cricket for any wicket with Mahela scoring 374 - the 4th highest individual score in Test cricket. Sanga missed out on a triple, falling on 287, as the home team won comprehensively.
Be it batting together and guiding Sri Lanka to victory on different occasions, retiring from T20s after the winning the 2014 T20 World Cup or opening a sea food restaurant, the duo have been each others’ support on and off the field for over a decade now. Their bond is also another reason why the baton of captaincy passed over smoothly to Sanga when Mahela decided to relinquish himself of his duties. He however did not hesitate in giving any advice to his successor during the matches.
The guard of honour and the speech given by Sanga on his retirement last week would make any choke with tears and it can rightly be said that the partnership of the two legends is one scripted by the Gods for the cricket lovers.
The man that was Jayawardene
The article does not focus on Jayawardene’s statistics – for though they paint a picture of their own, they’re widely known to many cricket fans – but rather, this article focuses on the man behind the numbers, who didn't give an inch to the opposition.
Off the field, his smile and his love for the game made him a "people's man". Be it opening a cancer hospital in memory of his brother or meeting fans and making them feel at ease instantly, he has never for once made himself feel like an A Lister, an out and out celebrity. Despite meeting the who's who of the world, he’s not known for rejecting his fan’s simple requests and in the process has been enveloped with public's love and admiration. In his last match at SSC, authorities allowed his fans and young cricketers, who considered him their idol, to give him the guard of hounour - an ideal farewell for a man who played only for the flag and the fans.
Be it his determined face after the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team or the payment controversies that put him at odds with the authorities, the man has emerged through it all with a wide flash of smile.
He never complained of being a scapegoat when he was given the captaincy a second time in 2012 when the team wasn't doing well. He continued playing when the cricket board didn't pay him for over a year. He did not question or criticise anyone although his skills were doubted many a times.
He played not for money or praise but he played because he loved to play for Sri Lanka and he dedicated his life for it.
He will carry on till the 2015 WC in ODIs and just like Sachin Tendulkar, who signed off on a high last time, he too would look to win the elusive trophy in his last World Tournament.
Cricketers all over the world have paid him tributes, tweeted memories or published articles on him. I am not a big star, yet I would like to congratulate him on his career. He wasn't a fellow Indian yet he touched by life as a cricket fan.
Yes, I am thankful he won't take guard against India anymore and won't threaten to take the game away from us, like he has done over the years. (Who can forget that brilliant hundred in 2011 World Cup final!) Yet, there is no denying that a cricket lover in me would miss him. He managed to transcend boundaries and win the hearts of people, irrespective of their nations - such was his aura!