What a catch!

By Laila Nasry

Kaushalya Weeraratne's head was in a whirl. He thought he was seeing things. He sat himself down and read the story again. True enough, he had been chosen for the Asia Cup cricket squad, to represent Sri Lanka in Bangladesh. This was no dream, but definitely a dream come true. 

Tall and gangly Kaushalya is the latest star in the emerging brat-pack of national cricketers. A great lover of cricket, as a child he had always wanted to join the 'big boys' at their game. At home when his uncles got together for a game of cricket, he pestered for a place in the team. He had to be pacified, so with great reluctance on the part of the others he was 'allowed' to field on the sidelines and at times bat. 

Small starts make great achievers and it was Kaushalya's 'humble beginnings' which acted as a spur. Soon he made it to the Under 11 team at Trinity College. Then on, life took a 'full toss'. With every match his batting and bowling improved and soon he was known and feared among rival schools as a good all-rounder. Kaushalya's efforts or talent did not go unnoticed and he was called upon to captain the school's Under 13 team which he did for two years. There was no stopping him there. For Kaushalya it was a case of aiming higher and higher. He captained the Trinity College Under 15 team for one year, the Under 17 team for one year and the Under 19 team for two years. 

It was a 'sixer' when at 18 he was chosen to the squad representing Sri Lanka at the Under 19 World Cup which was being held here. He cites his inclusion for the World Cup team as "one of my great achievements". Recalling the matches, he says, it was wonderful playing against teams from the rest of the world. "The experience was really great," says he and the memories sweeter, for he captured 13 wickets in five matches. 

However, once in a while life sends it bouncers and losing the Under 19 World Cup had him stumped. "It was the saddest moment in my life," he says despondently having lost to India at the finals. "They were a good team," he says almost grudgingly and accepts that winning and losing are all part of the game. 

Like in his younger days, once again Kaushalya has got a chance to play with the 'big boys' and this time it's the real thing. Being chosen to represent Sri Lanka at the forthcoming Asia Cup is the glaced cherry atop his cricketing career. He sees getting into the national side as an ultimate achievement. One he would like to make a permanent fixture in both One-Day-International and test matches in the years to come. 

I ask him whether playing with seniors, like Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva gives him the jitters. He gives me a 'no sweat it's a cakewalk' shrug. He is quick to explain his nonchalance. "I play for NCC so I've played with some of the seniors before."

Filling the gap of a right arm pace bowler, whose wickets would he like to send spinning? "Sachin Tend–ulkar's" he says with a wickedly mischievous gleam in his eyes. The gleam persists when he tells me it's Shoaib Akthars ball that he would like to send sweeping upto the stands. I double over with laughter and keep my fingers crossed. 

Kaushalya has come a long way and has much to be thankful for. Similarly he has many to thank for his success. Among his parents and many coaches he also remembers his uncles who 'lent a bat' in forming the cricketer in him. "They always encouraged and inspired me to do better," he says. Having taken wing to Bangladesh on his first 'major' tour the rest is still to be seen. Will he? Won't he? Can he? Could he? However, one thing's for sure. He has what it takes- youth, vigour, talent and ambition. I guess the time has come to show off. 

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