The historic SSC Grounds played host to the much-anticipated ‘Battle of the Gold’ one-day encounter recently, as arch-rivals D.S. Senanayake College and Mahanama College faced off in a clash steeped in tradition. In a display of absolute dominance with both bat and ball, Mahanama College registered their ninth straight victory, defeating the Dons by seven wickets to retain the prestigious Aravinda de Silva Challenge Trophy.
The match, initially delayed due to inclement weather, was reduced to a 42-over affair. D.S. Senanayake College skipper Randheesha Bandaranayake won the toss and opted to bat first, a decision that would backfire almost immediately. Despite visible moisture on the pitch due to the covers, the Dons chose to take first strike. Gritty right-arm pacer Geeth Sandaruwan exploited the conditions masterfully, controlling the early swing to remove both openers in quick succession, leaving D.S. reeling at just 18 runs for the loss of two wickets.
Amid the early chaos, Sithru Gunarathna and Janindu Ranasinghe steadied the ship for the Dons. Ranasinghe, playing with soft hands, contributed a valuable 29 runs before falling to right-arm off-spinner Sanul Weerarathne.
Gunarathna, the aggressor in the partnership, brought up a brilliant half-century, highlighted by a stylish pull shot that raced to the deep mid-wicket boundary. However, national youth-capped player Chamika Heenatigala dismissed Gunarathna for a well-made 51, adorned with three fours and two sixes, triggering a catastrophic collapse. Poor shot selection and a lack of placement saw D.S. slump from a comfortable 92/2 to 106/5.
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Just as the Mahanama camp began to roar, leg-spinning power hitter Shanal Binuksha walked to the crease and launched a stunning counter-attack. The Mahanama bowlers, caught off guard by the assault, struggled to maintain their line and length. Binuksha found an able ally in Haamid Afdhal, and the pair stitched together a vital 52-run partnership, the second-highest of the innings. Mahanama captain Dulnith Sigera eventually broke the stand by dismissing Afdhal, who scored 29 runs including a boundary and a six. However, the final three overs belonged to Binuksha, who continued his assault, dispatching the bowlers for huge sixes. He was dismissed on the final ball of the innings for a blistering 58 runs, featuring six massive sixes and two fours. D.S. Senanayake College eventually posted a competitive total of 194 runs in their allotted 42 overs. For Mahanama, skipper Dulnith Sigera led the bowling unit with three wickets, while Geeth Sandaruwan and Chamika Heenatigala chipped in with two apiece.
Chasing 195, the Mahanama opening pair of Sineth Weerarathne and skipper Dulnith Sigera made a flying start, putting the D.S. bowlers under immense pressure. Sineth was in destructive form, smashing 37 runs off just 17 balls, including four sixes and two boundaries. The duo put up a rapid 44-run opening stand within just 3.2 overs. Following Sineth’s dismissal, Venura Kaveethra joined the skipper, and the two built a solid foundation with risk-free cricket, taking the score past the three-figure mark and diminishing D.S.’s hopes of a fightback.
Just when it seemed like a one-sided affair, left-arm spinner Basuru Jayasena struck twice in the same over, removing both the Mahanama skipper and his deputy. This sudden double blow jolted the home crowd, reminding them that the game was far from over.
However, any hopes of a D.S. revival were quickly extinguished. Mahanama responded with a clinical display of batting as Venura Kaveethra and Sanul Weerarathne formed an unshakeable partnership. Despite desperate bowling changes and fielding adjustments by D.S. skipper Bandaranayake, the pair steadied the ship. Venura remained unbeaten on 55, hitting four boundaries, while the more aggressive Sanul smashed an unbeaten 57 off just 51 balls, decorated with five fours and a huge six. The duo put on an unbroken 96-run partnership, displaying a sense of urgency to chase down the target with ease. Mahanama reached the victory target in just 30.1 overs, winning by seven wickets.
With this total dominance, the lads from Mahanama College, led by national youth-capped player Dulnith Sigera, secured the Aravinda De Silva Challenge Trophy for the 13th time in the annals of the “Battle of the Golds,” cementing their legacy in this storied rivalry.
Brief Scorecard
D.S. Senanayake College – 194/9 (42 Overs)
Shanal Binuksha 58, Sithru Gunaratne 51, Janindu Ranasinghe 29, Hameed Afdal 29, Miyuru Bandara 11
Dulnith Sigera 3/30, Geeth Sandaruwan 2/18, Chamika Heenatigala 2/47, Sanul Weerarathne 2/30
Mahanama College – 196/3 (30.1 Overs)
Sanul Weerarathne 57 n.o., Wenura Kaveethra 55 n.o., Sineth Weerarathne 37, Dulnith Sigera 31
Basuru Jayasena 2/34, Oshadha Perera 49/1
Individual Awards
- Player of the Match – Sanul Weerarathne (Mahanama College)
- Best Batter – Wenura Kaveethra (Mahanama College)
- Best Bowler – Dulnith Sigera (Mahanama College)
- Best Fielder – Sithru Gunaratne (D.S. Senanayake College)
