A career dotted with special achievements for Sri Lanka came to an end as seamer Dhammika Prasad decided to retire from international cricket.
An alumnus of De Mazenod College, Kandana, Dhammika Prasad made his ODI debut for Sri Lanka in 2006 against Bangladesh where he picked up 2 wickets in his very first over. 25 Tests, 24 ODIs, 1 T20I and 107 wickets later, the speedster announced his retirement from International cricket today, 18 February 2021.
Prasad had to wait 2 years since his ODI debut to get his Test cap against India. He impressed from the word go, picking up 5 wickets in the Test including the best batsman in the Indian line-up at the time, Virendra Sehwag, twice.
Injury woes were a huge hassle in Prasad’s career, forcing the right-arm fast bowler to stay off the field for more time than playing in his almost a decade-long career. He last played for Sri Lanka in 2015 against West Indies in Colombo, after which, he had to go through a surgery in his right shoulder. That kept him out of the game for close to 2 years. Upon his return to first class cricket, he was not as lethal as he was earlier and struggled to crank up his pace. That saw him fade away slowly from being a national prospect.
It was the disappointing characteristic of Prasad’s career. He would work his way through the ranks and get to the highest stage. Put up quality spells there. Then pick up an injury and go back to square one.
His 351 first class wickets are a testament to the hard yards he put in at first class level. He is a veteran at Sinhalese Sports Club having played most of his cricket for the club. He captained SSC in the 2018/19 season.
The 37-year-old was the leader of the Sri Lankan pace battery at one point. 2014/15 was a golden period in his career and he was at his absolute peak. His fifer at Headingley in 2014 which helped Sri Lanka win the Test match and also the series in England is a fond memory many will remember about him.
The English were his favourite opponent in One-dayers. He played 7 ODIs against them and picked 8 scalps. In Tests though it is the Indians. He has 22 wickets to his name against the Indians in the 6 games he has played against them.
Interestingly, Prasad started his school career as a top-order batsman. It was only during U17s that he was asked to convert to a fast bowler by his school coach.
It is no doubt that Sri Lanka was unfortunate to have not enjoyed the maximum output of this seamer. But, the grit, the guile, and the grunt while Kariyawasam Tirana Gamage Dhammika Prasad releases the ball will always be remembered.
