5th Column

My dear Chamari and the women’s cricket team,

I’m writing to your team – instead of writing to Namal baby who lost half of his team or to Uncle Ranil who stole that half of the team – because what you did last week inspired a nation that has few victories to celebrate. It is also better than calling to congratulate you and then having a video of that circulated!

You performed well at the highest level so consistently in recent times that it has been suggested that we will be better off playing you against the Indian men’s team. At first, this was treated as a joke, but after the pathetic and spineless performance of our men’s team in the T20s, maybe we can give it a try?

Chamari, you deserve a special mention not only for your performances with the bat but also for the manner in which you led the team, mentoring the younger players and being a tower of strength to them. Many have compared your role to that of Arjuna’s. Captain Cool himself may not disagree.

In many ways, your team reminds us of the men’s team in ’96. They were not known to be world beaters at first but they had the passion, the drive and the pride of representing their country to motivate them. Many saw that same hunger for victory in your team when you took on India last week.

What was also special is that, unlike your male counterparts, the vast majority of your team do not come from a few elite schools in Colombo, Kandy and Galle. You come from many parts of this land. We even heard the story of how, after winning the Asia Cup, one of you took the bus to her village.

You will need time to get used to the praise and fame that will come to you overnight, Chamari and the team. We saw some of you being felicitated in your hometowns and being driven through the streets in motorcades. All that is richly deserved, but you must also be prepared for what comes next.

With your recent performances, money will flow into women’s cricket now. That is when you will be tempted with offers to appear in advertisements, play in different leagues and be lured into many other deals by various agents. This is when representing your country starts to become less important.

As you savour the feeling of being Asian champions, you may think that is not possible. Just take a look at your colleagues in the men’s team. They seem to be more concerned about their cars, tattoos, hairstyles, and social media accounts. Even if they are, it shouldn’t be at the expense of their performances.

We saw you accept the trophy from Shammi. It is important to realise that you won not because of those who administer the game in Paradise but despite them. We hope that these administrators don’t do to you, what they did to the men’s team after ’96: use your fame to get rich at the game’s expense.

Chamari, though you led from the front, you never said ‘mama thamai hondatama karey’ (It was I who did the best). Instead, even while you performed well, you were also able to get the best out of your teammates. This is where others who are, and have been, in leadership roles can learn from you.

When you knew you were faced with the challenge of overcoming mighty India and many said they were the favourites to win, you didn’t get people to go to courts trying to get them to postpone the game, Chamari. Instead, you prepared well and played the game freely and fairly and without fear.

When your opening partner was run out early, Chamari, you didn’t cry foul, claim that the umpire got it wrong and say you won’t accept a replacement. You didn’t also suggest that umpire discuss it with others and arrive at a decision that is acceptable to you – you just carried on with the next batter.

Chamari, your players didn’t also suddenly pull out of the team saying they are not with you anymore, which is what has happened to some leaders now. Perhaps this is because you are a leader who always supported your teammates and allowed them to grow, nurturing the next generation of leaders.

To rise to the occasion and beat a team drawn from over a billion people, a team that is paid salaries equal to what their male counterparts earn, is no mean feat. Chamari and the women’s cricket team, we greatly value what you achieved last week. If we all learn from you, maybe we can make Paradise great again.

Yours truly,

Punchi Putha

PS: After the last ball was hit for six and our players ran on to the ground, you were not to be seen, Chamari. Then we saw you behind the boundary line, falling to your knees and kissing the ground. This is not a reflection on you but now we don’t trust leaders who kiss the ground after a great win!