Dilshan Madushanka – Sri Lanka’s only triumph in an otherwise disastrous WC campaign
The ICC Cricket World Cup brings the finest together. It’s often the batters who hog the limelight through their explosive stroke play. But it’s the bowlers who play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of matches. Their ability to deceive, threaten and take wickets at crucial moments is what sets them apart.
For Sri Lanka, although their campaign was disastrous–seven losses in nine games–one man stood out. With 21 wickets in nine games, left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka earned respect of many former and current players.
“I think he’s very talented, very energetic, young and has plenty of talent,” said Waqar Younis, when asked his thoughts on the new kid on the block.
The Pakistan great had the firsthand experience of watching and commenting on Sri Lanka’s newest fast bowling sensation from the commentary box at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi when Sri Lanka took on Bangladesh in their eighth World Cup game.
“He’s going to get better and better. In my opinion, he is the best thing that has come out of the World Cup for Sri Lanka. They can really look after him and develop him into a very fine bowler,” Younis, the holder of 789 international wickets across Tests and ODI cricket, said.
His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace has made him a difficult bowler to face. At the Wankhede Stadium, against a star-studded batting line-up, the 23-year-old fast bowler claimed his maiden five-for and became the fourth Sri Lankan after Ashantha de Mel, Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga to record a fifer at World Cups.
“He is definitely one for the future. You can see that he is eager. I love what I’ve seen of him and he is certainly one for the future,” he continued.
“It would have been better if he had another bowler from the other end. That would have really supported him. If that was the case, it would have been a different result for Sri Lanka because when you get some support from the other end, it makes him comfortable.”
Younis said Madushanka’s performance at the World Cup is sure to give him loads of confidence and Sri Lanka must manage his workload well in order to keep him fit and injury free.
“When you pick up early wickets on a big occasion, in big tournaments, it makes you feel you belong to this arena,” he commented.
“I think this will take him a long way. And all he’s got to do is just make sure that he stays fit.”
“His actions suggest that he is pretty good,” he said.
“He’s very rhythmic and his action is very repeatable. And I’m sure if he stays away from those injuries, which is hard to do, he will go a long way. I think it is important for the cricket board to look after him. Make sure that he plays those important cricket matches and not just keep playing and burning.”
Because of franchise cricket, fast bowlers tend to give up on the longer format, Younis pointed out. His advice was for them to play more four-day cricket and Test matches to improve their skills to become fitter and skilled ODI bowlers.
“Some of the modern-day cricketers don’t play four-day cricket and come and complain that they don’t know how to bowl or they get hammered,” he said.
“One-day cricket is 10 overs and you need to have a plan and structure to bowl. Look at Jasprit Bumrah, look at Mohammad Shami. They bowled at the Test match line because they have plenty of red ball cricket experience behind them and lots of overs in their legs. That makes a big difference. I am very pleased and happy with what I have seen from the youngster and hopefully see him keep growing.”
When asked what most excites him about Madushanka, Younis replied, “It’s the energy”.
“He runs hard and he never gives up. You know these are small things you pick and choose. You know the kind of fitness, and at the moment he looks very fit and looks energetic,” he said.
According to Younis, Madushanka has lots of similarities with the Sri Lankan great Chaminda Vaas, the undisputed fast bowling champion, but had bit more pace than him.
“Vaas made himself to become one of the greats of the game. So don’t judge him or don’t put him in the same category right now. But yes, he’s got similarities, got the action. He wants to learn more. Once you play more, he will become better and better,” he explained.
Meanwhile, after New Zealand recorded a 5-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their last group game, Trent Boult, a left-arm seamer himself applauded Madushanka’s performance in the tournament.
“Followed him throughout this tournament. He is an exceptional talent and has good skills,” Boult said.
“He’s obviously got the toolbox to adapt in these conditions and that’s probably the key to success over here. You should be able to read the wicket and use your skills accordingly and I think he’s done that phenomenally throughout the World Cup so far. That’s the reason why he’s at the top of the wicket tally. It’s been good to watch”.
Madushanka’s World Cup performance
vs South Africa 2/86
vs Pakistan 2/60
vs Australia 3/38
vs Netherlands 4/49
vs England 0/37
vs India 5/80
vs Bangladesh 3/69
vs New Zealand 0/58