Six seniors and two good juniors bolster Galahitiyawa’s Dharmaraja
Bolstered by the presence of six seniors and, at least, two very good juniors, Venuka Galhitiyawa’s Dharmaraja team looks forward to the season with a lot of confidence. The skipper feels that this year’s team could be better than the last one. However, there is an escape clause – “We are probably a little short of experience”.
Venuka Galhitiyawa - Captain
The only holder of the coveted Dagoba (Dharmaraja’s highest award), Galahitiyawa, who is in his sixth season, has always delivered with left arm leg spin. He took 71 wickets in 2014/15, a slight drop from his efforts of the previous season. His batting may have suffered from the amount of bowling he does. But he remains a forceful left hander in the middle order. The skipper had match figures of 12 for 111 against Maliyadeva last year.
Ruchira Pupulewqatte, a Big Match centurion, is the best all-rounder in the team. Last year he made over 500 runs and ended with over 60 wickets. Even though he bowls the same stock ball as his skipper, the two of them have bowled in tandem.
Left hander Deshan Gunasinghe was the team’s leading scorer in 2014/15. His knocks of 91 not out and 73 against Royal were his magnum opus. An elegant batsman, he, together with Pupulewatte, turn out for Kurunegala SC in clubcricket.
Paceman Lahiru Samarakoon is the chief strike force in the Rajan attack. A tall pacie, who has speed and makes the use of his height to obtain lift, he is in Sri Lanka’s Under 19 pool of thirty. He also turned out for the NCC in Under13 cricket.
Gihan Vitharana could partner Pupulewatte as openers. An unbeaten 41 (Mahinda) and a five for (Lumbini) were his best efforts. He should build on that base. Another Under 17 player, Nivantha Herath, will open the bowling with Samarakoon. Both Herath and Vitharana played a fair number of matches in the first term in 2014/15.
Rajans are are blessed with a lot of all rounders. Asmitha Rajapalse a left hand bat and off spinner is another of these. Limited opportunities meant that he was consistent and useful rather than brilliant.Of the new-comers, Bawantha Udangamuwa stands out. Built on the lines of a rugby forward, he is a batsman who whacks the ball ferociously. When he comes off, he certainly demoralises the opposition and takes the game away from them.
Kasun Gunawardena, an under fifteener, did well in the age group Provincial tournament and should a look in. Dhanushka Sanjeeva and Supun Bandara are in contention for the keeper’s berth. Chaturangana Aludeniya and Naveen Hippola will provide the back-up medium pace.
The Rajans won four matches last season. This includes the Big Match. Interestingly, Dharmaraja will be playing Trinity in the third week of January. This match will be played after a few years because the two schools, though a few kilometers from each other, did not want to meet.
Senaka Dissanaike, a former Sri Lanka Under 19 player, continues to coach the side. He had produced solid combinations but would like to go a step or two further and prepare a team that could beat leading schools in Colombo.
Manjula Udagedera is the hands-on MIC, while Mr. S.M. Keerthiratne, the Principal, takes personal interest in the team.