Allrounder Yuggesha Dishan: A star in the making for Dharmaloka
Pic Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
Scoring a century and capturing a match bag of 11 wickets in the same match is a rare occurrence, which was achieved by 19-year-old Yuggesha Dishan of Dharmaloka College, Kelaniya.
A left handed middle order batsman and a left arm leg-spinner, Dishan brought up the second best all-round performance in this year’s Under-19 Cricket tournament, when he clobbered 108 runs and followed it with the ball to capture a match bag of 11 wickets made up of two 5 plus hauls conceding 57 runs, against Debarawewa National School, Tissamaharama, recently.
Having learned his basics at Dharmaloka College, the lad leads the side this season. The team comprises six coloursmen. Leading from the front, Dishan carries the full responsibilities in both batting and bowling.
Dishan never looked back from the 1st year he was selected to play in the College 1st XI team, 4 years ago. He never disappointed his team, as he was consistent with both bat and ball, right throughout. Considering this lad’s performances, he was selected to represent his Province in the senior category.
Enjoying a fair season in his 1st year, he started to fire on all cylinders from the 2nd year, scoring 400 runs and claiming 50 wickets. Totaling 600 runs and capturing 68 wickets in the 3rd year. He topped the 500 mark in his 4th year. This year, so far, Dishan has scored 485 runs, including a century and seven 50s.
Having the natural elegance of a left hander, the Dharmaloka skipper entertains his followers with a fine brand of batsmanship. As a left arm orthodox spinner, he worries the batsmen by attacking them to make them play all 6 balls of the over, and not allowing them to settle.
As Dharmaloka College has no ground of their own, the school plays all its cricket matches away. Dishan plays his natural game irrespective of the different types of wickets he comes across. Even when bowling, he is not worried about the behaviour of the wickets. He keeps attacking the batsmen till they make a mistake.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) should take note of these type of cricketers who performs without the necessary facilities. If the SLC provides at least a ground of their own, many more Dishans are sure to emerge from this lesser known school.
In his last year as captain, Dishan says the most valuable gift he can give his alma mater is to win the Big Match against Gurukula Vidyalaya, with another memorable performance with bat and ball.