Saluting Sri Lanka on the 25th anniversary of winning the World Cup - How great a team are they?

[Harsh Thakor]

25 years ago on March 17th Sri Lanka captured the coveted cricket world cup title for the first time .It exuded aura of invincibility as few teams ever did like a great emperor annexing territory after territory. A red letter day was written in cricket with an underdog triumphing for the 2nd time. We must salute them for binding or knitting their untapped talent into a world conquering unit. Above all they took cricketing artistry to its helm. Sri Lankan cricket had come off age .A new script was written in history. It gave glimpses or flashes of its great talent in Sharjah in 1995 when it overpowered Pakistan and West Indies and coming within touching distance of beating Australia in the triangular tournament of 1995-96.Without doubt they started as the dark horses. For one I fancied Sri lanka with their dynamic aggressive attitude and spirit propelling them. Earlier Srilanka was infused with a bunch of talented individuals who on their day could reveal cricketing prowess in divine proportions with players like Roy Dias ,Ratnayake or Duleep Mendis..However it could not make an impact as a collective unit.




Aravinda De'Silva was technical perfection and style personified,Jayasuriya re-defined cricketing trends blasting all guns or striking thunder and lightning from the word go while Arjuna Ranatunga was the ultimate epitome of great leadership. I don't have a word to do justice to the flourish De Silva and Jayasuriya displayed or the partnership between Ranatunga and Aravinda in the final.Jayasuriya resembled a circus acrobat or magician when tearing the bowling apart while Aravinda took artistry to regions of the sublime. I can't forget De 'Silva's 66 on bad wicket a Kolkata in the semi-final performing major repair job ,literally stitching the wound at its gravest area. In the final he blended batting domination and craftsmanship as very few have done in a world cup, like a surgeon and poet moulded into one. The Lankans displayed their nerves recovering from a mini-crisis in the semi-final and final.No skipper ever rallied his troops in a world cup as Aravinda who revealed tactical prowess in regions of the sublime. I apologise if being unjust but I do not think that even Clive Lloyd or Imran Khan marshalled their forces as well, tactically. To me on the day of the final Sri Lanka could have given a run for their money to the best Australian and West Indies teams that won the world cup. Few teams ever posessed as much ammunition to create impact of an inferno or displayed cricketing spirit at such a height.

In Asian conditions its magnitude of invincibility from 1996-98 was comparable to the best ODI sides ever. They resembled pack of tigers coming out of an ambush with pugnacity that was very hard to be rivalled. On many an occasion they recovered from the depths of despair to pull of stunning victories.Former cricketing great Ian Chappell classed Sri Lanka with the best ODI teams ever in 1998.Til then I saw no team as Clinical as Sri Lanka in a world cup run chase. Few teams were better balanced if you consider the batting depth, allrounders in the team and versatility of the bowling attack. In world cup history I never witnessed a team going about it’s business in the manner of Sri Lanka who from the very word go of their innings would send t tremors in the camp of the opponents .




Sadly rarely have Sri Lanka ressurected their 1996 triumph even if they have in junctures given flashes or glimpses of it. The Sri lankan team in 2001 in Sharjah arguably was even better, while in 2007 and 2011 they came within touching distance of winning the title. Arguably Sri Lanka never had a skipper with the ability to galvanise his troops as much as Arjuna Ranatunga or whose tactical genius could propel many a famous victory. I maintain that in summer of 2006 and winter of 2001 they came close to invinciblity.


What would go against Sri Lanka in 1996 being rated amongst the best ODI sides ever was that they were not so successful away in tournaments like Pakistan or India. Arguably it was also blessed by the fortune of not having any opposition before the quarter finals because of the boycott of teams to play in Sri Lanka.The toss played a crucial factor on a broken wicket in the semi-final at Kolktaa when India had to chase.Sri Lanka were also fortunate not to play South Africa, who may have been the bets team of the tournament. Still it is ironic that Sri Lanka became the 1st home team ever to capture the coveted title. It also did convincingly beat India in a group game at Delhi. In most clinical fashion it chased down the target India set them of 271.




Neverthless let us not take anything away from the untold glory Sri Lanka achieved. It must be noted that Sri Lanka was the first team ever to win a world cup final chasing a target as well as the first home team to triumph.

In the history of the world cup I had never seen a full strength English bowling attack broken to pieces as by Sri Lanka in the quarter final.

I feel that Aravinda De 'Silva's precious 66 in the semi-final against India was the innings of the world cup. Scored of a mere 47 balls,Aravinda took bating skill on a bad track to regions rarely traversed ,like a musical composer and technician blended into one. In few semi-finals have teams batting first ressurected from dire straits as the Lankans did in 1996, on a difficult wicket

The counter assault of Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda De’Silva in the final at Lahore against Australia will flash in my memories forever .The sheer trampling of opposition in sport was rarely seen in a final, displaying temperament at its ultimate height. It possessed every ingredient of what made cricket beautiful-be it power, entertainment or grace.Sri Lanka were in trouble at 23-2 and the Aussies looked favourites. However that day Sri Lanka took was as clinical as a surgeon performing an operation and at every juncture played in tune with the situation. The pair was reminiscent of an army setting up a base from which it could unleash a final blitzkreig. De’Silva's rampage on Mark Waugh with ten overs to go and Ranatunga's rattling of Shane Warne virtually gave the final knockout punch or mortal blow to Australia and the rest was merely an icing on the cake. It was a glorious sight witnessing Ranatunga coming down the wicket to execute a straight drive of Warne.Desilva hit the final nails in the coffin with a delicate leg-glance and imperial cover drive. In no final have I seen victory achieved with such finesse in a run chase and never seen a powerful side in a world cup till then like Australia ,treated with such sheer disdain. David was literally toppled by Goliath that day.I just cannot forget the jubilation or ecstasy of Ranatunga and De’Silva on climbing the final summit. Rarely had a powerful side received such a battering in a world cup final as Australia did in 1996 ,as though the opponents went out to teach them a lesson.

It must be noted that Sri Lanka was the first team ever to win a world cup final chasing a target. In few semi-finals have teams batting first ressurected from dire straits as the Lankans did in 1996, on a difficult wicket.In the history of the world cup I had never seen a full strength English bowling attack broken to pieces as by Sri Lanka in the quarter final. I feel that Aravinda De 'Silva's precious 66 was the innings of the world cup. Scored of a mere 47 balls,Aravinda took bating skill on a bad track to regions rarely traversed ,like a musical composer and technician blended into one.

Sri Lanka more than proved that the ODI game or World cup was not just about sheer class but about the ‘X ‘factor and star quality to lift your game to the optimum point. Ironically it is 25 years since a dark horse won a world cup.Sri Lanka more than proved how unpredictable ODI or World Cup cricket was championing the cause of the dark horses.


Arguably amongst the 5 best teams ever to win the world cup.Amongst winners perhaps only West Indies and Australia better.

 

[bala977]

They were phenomenal weren’t they? Sometimes I chuckle thinking about the treatment the Sharduls and Chahars would have received at the hands of Sanath and Aravinda - would have been pure slaughter

 

[Harsh Thakor]

They were phenomenal weren’t they? Sometimes I chuckle thinking about the treatment the Sharduls and Chahars would have received at the hands of Sanath and Aravinda - would have been pure slaughter

Comparable with Australia and West Indies at their best?Better than India or Pakistan?

 

[Last Monetarist]

That was a good side, on par with each of the sides that have won the World Cup in home conditions in the last three editions.

It needed a perfect storm for them to triumph, i.e. some players peaking at the right time, helpful conditions, and a legendary captain, not unlike how Pakistan won in 92, but I'd rank that Sri Lankan side ahead of the Pakistani team that won in Australia and New Zealand.

For a period of 3 years, that team was generally unbeatable in Asian conditions. Nonetheless, it is not in the same class as the great West Indies or Australian sides.

 

[Markhor]

A fabulous team and a wonderful cricket nation who've produced so many magical players. They don't always get their due because of the SC's two wailing aunties Pakistan and India who have massive media markets and hype machines. For many years they were the best team in Asia.

Sanath Jayasuriya was ahead of his time. In an era when openers looked to blunt the new ball, he saw the opportunity to attack. So strong square on the offside. And if you got him out, in walked Aravinda de Silva. Pure class and his knock in the 96 final was one for the ages.

But there's no question Arjuna Ranatunga, SL's equivalent of Imran Khan, who took no crap from anyone, made SL a hardnosed and ferociously competitive team instead of lovable losers who made up the numbers.

The intelligence and skill of Muttiah Muralitharan who had an unenviable workload carrying the burden of helping SL take 20 wickets per Test, and conducting himself with class despite all the whispers about his action; the tireless endeavour and guile of Chaminda Vaas who toiled away on often unhelpful pitches.

After 1996, enter Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. What more can be said about these two legends who carried the hopes of their nation on their shoulders despite a dysfunctional board more interested in politics than interests of SL cricket. Who can forget Rangana Herath, the chubby spinner and part-time bank assistant who bamboozled so many batsmen on his way to 433 wickets. Then there's Lasith Malinga - a triumph of unorthodoxy and a fearsome bowler at his peak. I'll never forget that spell vs South Africa in 2007 WC.

It's desperately sad seeing the state of Sri Lanka today, the petty squabbling by men intent on destroying this legacy. They have given so much to cricket and all cricket fans should hope this nation will rise again one day.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

That was a good side, on par with each of the sides that have won the World Cup in home conditions in the last three editions.

It needed a perfect storm for them to triumph, i.e. some players peaking at the right time, helpful conditions, and a legendary captain, not unlike how Pakistan won in 92, but I'd rank that Sri Lankan side ahead of the Pakistani team that won in Australia and New Zealand.

For a period of 3 years, that team was generally unbeatable in Asian conditions. Nonetheless, it is not in the same class as the great West Indies or Australian sides.

appreciate .well put.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

That was a good side, on par with each of the sides that have won the World Cup in home conditions in the last three editions.

It needed a perfect storm for them to triumph, i.e. some players peaking at the right time, helpful conditions, and a legendary captain, not unlike how Pakistan won in 92, but I'd rank that Sri Lankan side ahead of the Pakistani team that won in Australia and New Zealand.

For a period of 3 years, that team was generally unbeatable in Asian conditions. Nonetheless, it is not in the same class as the great West Indies or Australian sides.

Very fair analysis.appreciate

 

[Harsh Thakor]

A fabulous team and a wonderful cricket nation who've produced so many magical players. They don't always get their due because of the SC's two wailing aunties Pakistan and India who have massive media markets and hype machines. For many years they were the best team in Asia.

Sanath Jayasuriya was ahead of his time. In an era when openers looked to blunt the new ball, he saw the opportunity to attack. So strong square on the offside. And if you got him out, in walked Aravinda de Silva. Pure class and his knock in the 96 final was one for the ages.

But there's no question Arjuna Ranatunga, SL's equivalent of Imran Khan, who took no crap from anyone, made SL a hardnosed and ferociously competitive team instead of lovable losers who made up the numbers.

The intelligence and skill of Muttiah Muralitharan who had an unenviable workload carrying the burden of helping SL take 20 wickets per Test, and conducting himself with class despite all the whispers about his action; the tireless endeavour and guile of Chaminda Vaas who toiled away on often unhelpful pitches.

After 1996, enter Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. What more can be said about these two legends who carried the hopes of their nation on their shoulders despite a dysfunctional board more interested in politics than interests of SL cricket. Who can forget Rangana Herath, the chubby spinner and part-time bank assistant who bamboozled so many batsmen on his way to 433 wickets. Then there's Lasith Malinga - a triumph of unorthodoxy and a fearsome bowler at his peak. I'll never forget that spell vs South Africa in 2007 WC.

It's desperately sad seeing the state of Sri Lanka today, the petty squabbling by men intent on destroying this legacy. They have given so much to cricket and all cricket fans should hope this nation will rise again one day.

Greatly appreciate analysis.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

All said and done, a bigger heritage than Pakistan. One World Cup and two finals to go with that. Titans.

 

[BreadPakoda]

They were phenomenal weren’t they? Sometimes I chuckle thinking about the treatment the Sharduls and Chahars would have received at the hands of Sanath and Aravinda - would have been pure slaughter

What about the Venkys, Mohantys, 'Vilas, and Harvinders against the likes of Roy, Bairstow, Russel, ABD, and Morgan?

 

[guna]

Jaya, Aravinda, Ranatunga were phenomenal back then. Their bowling was average, but Murali and the army of slow bowlers were good enough to put brakes on the opposition.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

Sanath
Tharanga
Sangakkara
Jayawardena
Silva/Atapattu
Dilshan
Arnold/maharoof
Vaas
Fernando
Malinga
Murali.
This is their 07 team which I think is their best ever ODI side. Sadly they encountered a Goat Australia in the final. This Sri Lanka team would beat the 96 version of Australia all around the world.

 

[Bilal7]

Sri Lanka have produced several unique and memorable cricketers. Regardless of how highly you rate Muralitharan, Jayasuriya and Malinga, you won't forget them.

 

[Hasan123]

Brilliant team. Brilliant captain.

 

[WengerOut]

You have hundred thousand people against you in a WC semi, you are in deep trouble batting first and crowd is getting more intimidating. You dont steal the limelight from that situation unless your name is Aravinda De Silva. Ind lost when he arrived. My fav WC innings

 

[rhony]

A band of unconventional mavericks gelled together by a great captain. In many ways this is similar to Pak's 1992 victory. SL dominated the WC unlike Pak in 92 but a captain inspiring his team to win it all is the common theme. They revolutionized ODI cricket. They had two kamikaze warriors as openers, skillful middle order batsmen and a variety in bowling. They made chasing "hot" when winning a toss meant batting first by default.. In many ways, they provided a template for ODI cricket.