Private entities should be encouraged to conduct initiatives such as fastest bowler competitions. Around 15 years ago, one such programme conducted by Sirasa TV unearthed Nuwan Pradeep, while a few years ago an initiative undertaken by Airtel helped discover Eshan Malinga. Today, the young seamer has become the talking point of the IPL, doing the unimaginable on cricket’s biggest T-20 stage.
The Sri Lankan is currently the second highest wicket-taker in the IPL with 16 scalps to his name and one more wicket could earn him the coveted Purple Cap. Not bad for a 25-year-old rookie competing alongside the likes of Jofra Archer, Pat Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada.
Malinga’s skilful bowling has been one of the key reasons why Sunrisers Hyderabad are sitting pretty at the top of the table.
The youngster is handling the toughest assignment in T-20 cricket – bowling at the death. He may not possess the slingy, awkward action of his namesake Lasith Malinga or the raw pace of Dushmantha Chameera, but he has developed a skill set that makes him extremely difficult to line up.
There is a hint of reverse swing when he operates with the older ball, which is why Cummins has held him back for the business end of the innings. The ploy has worked like a charm. Add to that a cleverly disguised wide yorker and subtle variations in pace and batters have found themselves tied up in knots.
Malinga’s current deal with Hyderabad is worth just over USD 100,000. But make no mistake, if he continues producing performances of this calibre, his value at the next auction could soar tenfold.
It was in 2019 that Malinga took part in the Airtel Fastest Bowler competition and won the event after clocking 142 kmph as an 18-year-old. The pace did not quite kick on as many expected, partly due to a string of injuries, but what improved significantly was his craft. More importantly, he learnt how to keep his nerve under pressure – a priceless quality for a bowler entrusted with death overs.
Sri Lanka fast bowling coach Darshana Gamage deserves enormous credit for Malinga’s rise. Beyond the pace, what impressed Gamage most was the youngster’s perseverance and work ethic when he first spotted him at Airtel nets.
It was Gamage who recommended Malinga to several clubs. Ragama Cricket Club, a club Gamage both represented and coached, showed faith in the youngster and signed him up.
Ragama CC have often lived hand to mouth, but they have built a reputation for looking after their players. For years, their clubhouse on Kadawatha Road served as a refuge for cricketers arriving from outstations. Malinga, hailing from Ratnapura, benefited from that generosity as the club provided him with accommodation and meals.
Just as he was preparing to represent the club, disaster struck when injury sidelined him. Still a rookie and outside the national system, there was no structured support to cover his medical expenses. Ragama CC stepped in like good Samaritans and bore the costs of his recovery.
As he was preparing for a comeback, another injury struck. Once again Ragama stood firmly behind him. When he eventually regained full fitness, he repaid that faith by delivering the goods on the field and before long the selectors came calling.
Malinga broke into the senior side during last year’s tour of New Zealand. Much had been expected of him from the moment he burst onto the scene, but a freak injury stalled his progress and ruled him out of the World Cup.
After his impressive IPL campaign, he is set to return in Sri Lanka colours in the Caribbean and the hope now is that this Rathnapura gem, polished patiently at Ragama, will continue to sparkle on the international stage for years to come.
