The Formative Years Born 1st December 1963, Arjuna started playing cricket from the time he was out of his infancy. He joined Ananda College Colombo and captained the Under 13 Cricket XI, in the Schools Cricket Association Tournament leading his team to the final, making his mark as a left hand batsman of great promise. Thereafter, he captained the College Under 15, Under 17 and finally the First X1 in 1982. His leadership qualities were established at a tender age. As a batsman and a bowler, he burst into the national spotlight with a triple century and a 10- wicket haul when he was only 15 years old. He reached the first milestone of his outstanding cricket career, when at 18 and yet in college, he was chosen to represent Sri Lanka in the inaugural Test match against England. He scored a half century-the first ever for Sri Lanka and a star was born. Thereafter he strode the international cricket scene like a colossus.

The Cricketer As a gifted batsman he possessed the entire repertoire of strokes of a classical left -hander and was a treat to watch when in full flow. Arjuna Ranatunga was a brilliant batsman capable of scoring heavily against any bowling anywhere, which he often did. He batted with power and timing. He was entirely fearless and at times his stroke play was audacious. Wisden selected him as Cricketer of the Year in 1999. He played in 93 of Sri Lanka's 102 Tests and was Sri Lanka's second highest run-getter behind Arvinda de Silva with 4921 runs (av.35.15). He created a record in cricket history when he was the only cricketer in the world to play in the inaugural and the centenary Test matches of a country. He played 3 memorable Test innings -the unbeaten 131 against India in the Asia Cup final in 1997 in Colombo, his batting (with a multiple fracture of his thumb) which brought Sri Lanka an exciting 2 wicket victory against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in early 2000 and his partnership with Aravinda in the World Cup final in 1996.

He played in 269 One Day Internationals and scored 7450 runs at an average of 35.83.

He never took his bowling seriously. He bowled at a friendly medium pace but had a golden arm when it came to breaking partnerships.

In domestic cricket, he joined the Sinhalese Sports Club immediately after leaving school and up to date he has been their stalwart and their mainstay.

The Captain Arjuna was appointed Captain of Sri Lanka in 1989. He began his captaincy by transforming a loose collection of talented cricketing individuals into a formidable, cohesive and competitive unit by dint of hard work and discipline. A strong believer in team spirit, he emphasised its importance and lead from the front. He was an elder brother to his players, the way Sir Frank Worrell was to the West Indians in the early 1960s. His players respected him for his principles and performance and looked up to him as their leader.

His captaincy was the turning point and watershed in the history of Sri Lankan cricket. Sri Lanka, from being the minnows and an outpost in cricket was placed on the world map as a formidable force. Arjuna did not have it easy, playing in different countries, in varying conditions and under exacting situations such as he found in Australia. However, he kept his nerve and helped his team to keep their collective self-belief.

Intuitive cricketing brain. There was a time when many were under the impression that it would be tough for Sri Lanka to perform well on foreign soil. Arjuna and his team disproved it in the 1994/95 tour of New Zealand by winning the series. That set the stage for the glorious events to follow.

His most cherished moment was leading Sri Lanka to win the World Cup in 1996 beating the favourites Australia at Lahore. Another memorable experience for him was when he captained the team which scored the world record. Test innings of 952 for 6 wickets in Colombo in 1997. Sri Lanka's win over England by 10 wickets at the Kenning ton Oval was a moment he waited for with relish.

The Man Arjuna's tenure as captain of Sri Lanka portrayed his human qualities. He was always ready to help young cricketers especially from the outstation areas, whom he spotted as having potential and found them opportunities to raise their standards. He was ready to give them advice, encourage them and even find them jobs. Arjuna is the role model for any young cricketer anywhere in the cricket playing world.

His rising to the defence of Muttiah Muralitharan in the throwing controversy in Australia shows his greatness. He risked his entire cricketing career and all what he has achieved, to defend his colleague. He took on the umpire, the referee and the cricket establishment for a just cause.

Men of Arjuna's calibre come rarely. He is one of Sri Lanka's true and distinguished sons. His contribution to Sri Lanka cricket is immense, cannot be quantified and will be fondly remembered for generations to come. He leaves behind a legacy of success for which all Sri Lankans will be eternally grateful. Sri Lankans and the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka salute him and wish him a long and happy retired life.

© BCCSL