The legendary P. Sara Oval International Cricket Stadium played host to a thrilling chapter of school cricket history last Sunday (29th March) as the 18th edition of the ‘Battle of Rath-Ran’ unfolded between traditional rivals, President’s College, Kotte, and Asoka College, Colombo. In a contest defined by brilliant individual performances and dramatic shifts in momentum, President’s College emerged victorious, defeating Asoka College by 45 runs to retain the title for yet another year.
The foundation for this commanding victory was laid by President’s College skipper Punsara Nethmina, who won the toss and elected to bat first on a surface that looked conducive to run-scoring. His decision was immediately justified as the opening pair laid a solid platform, racing to a fifty-run stand within the first nine overs.
>>18th Battle of Rath-Ran to come alive this week at P. Sara Oval<<
However, the real substance of the innings was provided by a masterful partnership between Hirun Lindula Ranasinghe and Nevinda Thathsara. The duo combined class and aggression to put together a brilliant 100-run stand, propelling the score forward. Ranasinghe was the aggressor-in-chief, crafting a rare century that was studded with 12 elegant boundaries and three massive sixes. Just as he looked set to accelerate further, he was dismissed by Asoka College’s chinaman bowler, Rashmika Perera, who ended the flourishing partnership.
Despite the loss of their star batsman, Nevinda Thathsara held his ground to compile a well-made half-century, ensuring the momentum wasn’t lost. At one stage, President’s College appeared to be cruising towards the 300-run mark. However, the latter part of their innings saw a failure to capitalize fully on the strong start. Isuru Kaushalya and Rashmika Perera led the fightback for Asoka College with the ball, claiming three and two wickets respectively. Their efforts restricted President’s College to 260 runs, a formidable total, even on a batting paradise.
Chasing 261, Asoka College’s reply got off to the worst possible start. Opener Dulneth Hansaja fell for just a single run, leaving the side under early pressure. A couple of quick wickets followed, putting Asoka on the back foot. However, Mindula Hasaral and Sasisudu Malinda launched a rescue mission, stitching together a timely half-century stand to steady the innings.
Just as Asoka began to believe in the chase, Sithum Oshanda provided the vital breakthrough for President’s College, removing the dangerous Sasisudu Malinda via an LBW decision. Malinda’s cameo, featuring three fours and a couple of sixes at a strike rate around 120, had briefly kept Asoka in the hunt. At the halfway mark, Asoka College was still in the game at 128 for 3.
The match, however, turned on its head in the following overs. The centurion, Hirun Lindula Ranasinghe, struck with the ball to remove Chathura Prabod, triggering a dramatic collapse. The score quickly slipped from 128/3 to 152/7, and Asoka College completely lost their way.
Mindula Hasaral played a lone hand at one end, battling his way to a gritty 57 runs, but he received little support from the other end. While the tail-enders showed some resistance, the clinical bowling performance from President’s College stifled any hopes of a comeback. Nevinda Thathsara, Shehanka Abeyrathne, and Sithum Oshanda supported Ranasinghe brilliantly, ensuring the pressure remained unrelenting. Eventually, Asoka College was bowled out for 215 runs.
Hirun Lindula Ranasinghe was the undisputed star of the show, underlining his status as a brilliant all-rounder with a match-winning century and three crucial wickets. With this remarkable victory in the 18th ‘Battle of Rath-Ran’, President’s College, Kotte, has further cemented its dominance in this encounter. They have now extended their winning tally to 14 titles against Asoka College’s four, retaining the trophy in emphatic style.
Brief Scorecard
President’s College, Kotte – 260/8 (49 Overs)
Hirun Lindula 104, Nevinda Thathsara 56, Sasindu Avishka 17*, Sethila Sewhas 16, Punsara Nethmina 16, Arosha Lochana 15
Isuru Kaushalya 49/3, Rashmika Perera 36/2, Dulneth Hansaja 36/1, Chamath Thashmila 40/1, Januda Methnuka 53/1
Asoka Vidyalaya, Colombo – 215/10 (44.3 Overs)
Mindula Hasaral 57, Sasisudu Malinda 32, Rashmika Perera 22, Chamath Thashmila 21, Chathura Prabod 15, Menuk Minthaka 14
Nevinda Thathsara 37/3, Hirun Lindula Ranasinghe 47/3, Shehanka Abeyrathne 26/2, Sithum Oshanda 38/2
 as the 18th edition of the ‘Battle of Rath-Ran’ unfolded between traditional rivals, President’s College, Kotte, and Asoka College, Colombo.){kind=link}