As a senior journalist, I personally am not an emotional human and, more often than not, get tagged as a media critic. Hence, when my former chairman at Sri Lanka Cricket D.S de Silva, one of the finest leg spinners, Sri Lanka ever produced who also represented Sri Lanka in their inaugural test against England back in 1982, told me of a star in the making namely Dimuth Karunaratne I thought that his prophetic views in 2010 must be an over ambitious view of a player because Dimuth was never in the limelight whilst representing his club the SSC in the domestic season.
” D.S.” As he was popularly known was a fantastic coach and a great reader of the game who had a rare knack of identifying potential talent, encouraged me to interview Dimuth at SLC media centre and try to see if I can compile a script about his potential to be published on the SLC website.
A star in the making got me thinking of meeting Dimuth.
I managed to lure him into the media centre at SLC. He was shy, smiled more than he spoke, had a school boy look of innocence, and was very humble and generous by nature, which is what I assessed in my first impression of the youngster.
When he ultimately got his initial look back in 2011, I remember my chairman ” DS,” telling me that Dimuth needs a few grey areas to work on, especially flashing or fishing outside his off stump. He quickly added that he would correct those areas once he gets an opportunity to face quality bowling.
His opportunity or his childhood dream came at last in 2012 when he played against New Zealand, being his debut as a replacement for the injured Thilekeratna Dilshan.
Sadly, he started his journey with a duck in the first innings but came back strongly with a well compiled 60 in the second innings.
The doors were opened for him from then on. Commentators were even tagging him as a century maker in the second innings of a test match, and that was due to his 4 test hundreds he made against quality oppositions mainly in the second essay around the 2015 era.
I realised then the words of wisdom predicted by DS de Silva are now turning out to be prophetic . I was also informed by the late Percy Sri Lankan, one man cheer leader, that Arjuna Ranatunga has time for this young man , which was an endorsement worth in Gold.
The 100 tests he played for Sri Lanka during some very difficult times and it was never a bed of Roses. He humbly told me of the battles ahead as a test Cricketer.
He hardly spent time outside the nets, his dedication, discipline, determination, and application is an example that schoolboys must emulate if they are to reach excellence and represent Sri Lanka. Dimuth remember had a youthful ambition to play cricket for his motherland to him, everything else in life was secondary . He was, by nature, a humble human who obliged the autograph hunters to the man or woman begging on the street for food.
I have seen his generosity in person . He never wanted his right hand to know what his left hand was doing l, never made publicity of the charities he did.
As a captain, he was approachable, willing to listen to his players, never used harsh words, was extremely good, and obliged the media whenever we wanted his views on a day’s play.
All smiles were what we even noticed his reaction on the ground. He encouraged his players and many players stated Dimuth was a shoulder to cry on.
He was an introver, the dressing room on the last day of his retirement test match was extremely emotional, and this was so visible when Sanath Jayasuriya hugged him and stated his emotions to a gentle human on his departure from the limelight of publicity, fame, even critical views when chips take a tumble in a Cricketers life span.
Dimuth never looked for additions to his personal coffers except additions to his runs he got for his country and not for his personal glory.
He bids goodbye after scoring 7295 runs in 100 tests with a highest score of 244 , an average of 39.25 with 16 centuries and 39 half centuries in his illustrious career.
Dimuth was prolific as an opener that he was in the ICC team for 3 consecutive years, which speaks volumes of his talent.
He did not fancy whiteball cricket. However, when the responsibility was given to lead the team, he did a sterling job . The Australian team showed their appreciation when he left the playing area for the last time. Thank you, Dimuth, for the legacy and the memories you leave behind . Your name as a former great of Sri Lanka cricket will live to infinity.
To D.S. my ex chairman and boss at SLC during my tenure, your prophetic message, “A star is in the making,” is confirmed as reality, sir.
