5th Column
Mahela: Cricketer and Gentleman
View(s):My Dear Mahela,
I thought I must write to you when I learnt that you had announced your retirement from Test cricket and that you are playing your last Test match this week. The announcement came as a surprise because you could have played for another year or two, but coming from you, it is only to be expected.
We know that you were a key factor in Sri Lanka’s recent success as a cricket team not only because of your phenomenal performances with the bat but also because of your shrewd captaincy which won us many games — and almost won us another World Cup. So, your absence will be felt greatly.
You were the link between that great team which won us the World Cup in 1996 and the present generation of cricketers. You ensured that when they left the stage, you were there to carry on their good work and build on the foundations they laid.
I think fans will remember you mostly for being a batsman who was pleasing to watch even though you did not bludgeon the bowling in the way Sanath did. You will also be remembered as a very successful yet diplomatic captain, even though you did not wag fingers at umpires like Arjuna did.
What is interesting is your decision to retire at this stage. You obviously believe in leaving when others ask you why are leaving instead of waiting until they start to ask you why you aren’t leaving. That is a breath of fresh air in a country where everyone is clinging on to power and positions.
You didn’t say that you would quit playing Test matches for your country because you have to be careful about injuries — and then play in Twenty-Twenty games for different clubs around the world just because they paid large amounts of money. Some of your team mates do that, don’t they?
We also remember how even Sanath lost all the love and respect he once commanded by playing for too long. He then went to the extent of currying favour with politicians to extend his run in the national team. Thankfully, you didn’t think of following in his footsteps and called it quits instead.
It is a pity that some of our politicians, especially in the Green camp, don’t think like you! There, leaders still carry on despite losing game after game and series after series. They have now lost all the less important games and are now preparing for the next big series, but it is the same faces on show!
Why, even those in the Blue camp could learn a lesson or two from you. Why, you were captain of the team not once but twice. Then, instead of attempting to run for a third stint, you gracefully handed over the reins to a successor and now you are retiring. Why can’t our politicians do that?
I heard that part of the reason why you are retiring is because you want to spend more time with your young family, now that you are a father. That too is a courageous and admirable decision when we know that the time you can earn big money as a cricketer is rather limited.
Now, if you were in politics, you wouldn’t have to retire to spend more time with your family. What you do is bring your entire family — brothers, sons, nephews, the whole lot — into politics and give them various posts. Then, you can spend more time with them without having to retire. Ingenious, isn’t it?
Mahela, we also know that like all of us, you too have made mistakes. Perhaps the most obvious blunder was when you wanted to miss the tour to England five years ago, so that you could play in the cash-rich IPL. It is a mistake you did not repeat and we hope you have learnt from that!
I am sure you must be thinking about what you should do after retirement. I would suggest, Mahela, that you don’t take up any activity that takes you either to Parliament or to that other place which has people who are quite similar to those in Parliament — Sri Lanka Cricket.
You have been a great servant of Sri Lankan cricket and most of all, been a thorough gentleman even though you have had to deal with your fair share of ups and downs, especially when dealing with those warming the chairs at Maitland Place. So, whatever you do, Mahela, we wish you well.
Yours truly,
Punchi Putha
PS: I think the best tribute to you came from the Pakistani team, when they formed a guard of honour when you came out to bat. That gesture told us that they held you in high esteem. It also displayed their sportsmanship and the great spirit in which they play the game-regardless of what Gnanasaara might have to say about it!