Revatha College delivered a spectacular and clinical performance to clinch a comprehensive 9-wicket victory against their traditional rivals, Siddhartha Central College, in the 37th annual ‘Battle of the Heroes’ big match. The encounter concluded at the Teacher Training College Ground in Balapitiya over the weekend, with Revatha securing a well-deserved outright victory thanks to stellar performances from all-rounder Jack Shakya and leg-spinner Kaveesha Sandeepa.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, Siddhartha Central College found themselves in early trouble. Jack Shakya was accurate from the very first delivery, striking with the third ball of the encounter to dismiss opener Dilshan Mihiranga. With questions raised over their decision to bat, opener Kavinu Perera provided some resistance, anchoring the innings with a vital 38 runs. He engaged in short but crucial partnerships with Visal Gimhan and Pabosha Swarna to help the side cross the 50-run mark.
However, Revatha’s bowlers kept the pressure on the Siddhartha batters by hitting the right lines and lengths. From a relatively stable 53/2, Siddhartha collapsed to 64/5 and later to 98/8.
Chamindu Ishaka then played a counter-attacking knock, scoring a quickfire 45 runs off just 39 balls, including eight boundaries, to lift the total. He was the top scorer for the Siddhartha outfit. Jack Shakya spearheaded the bowling attack with three wickets, while Yathisha Kaveesh, Kaveesha Sandeepa, and Dinusha Sathsara chipped in with two wickets each to dismantle the middle and lower order. Siddhartha was eventually bowled out for an under-par first-innings score of 145 runs.
Revatha’s intent was clear from the start of their reply-they were hunting an outright victory. Despite losing a few wickets, they maintained a run rate of nearly eight runs per over, hammering boundaries all around the ground. Having already excelled with the ball, Jack Shakya dominated with the bat, scoring a massive and eye-catching 76 runs off just 53 deliveries, smashing 12 fours and two huge sixes.
Contributions from Yasiru Nimsara, Dasun Sathsara, Kaveesha Sandeepa, and Kalana Chamod, who were involved in fifty-plus partnerships, put Revatha firmly in the driver’s seat. Although Siddhartha’s bowlers Tharindu Sewmina (4 wickets) and Udara Sampath (3 wickets) fought back to reduce Revatha from 261/5 to 274 all out, the damage had already been done. After the batting assault, Revatha took a vital lead of over a century.
Trailing by 129 runs, Siddhartha openers Kavinu Perera and Dilshan Mihiranga attempted to salvage a draw with a solid start. The pair put on a quickfire 46-run opening partnership by counter-attacking the Revatha bowlers. However, Kaveesha Sandeepa struck at the perfect time, dismissing Dilshan Mihiranga to open the floodgates. Wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving the Siddhartha innings in chaos.
Wathika Supeshala delivered a fighting knock, scoring 49 runs-just one short of a half-century-to help his team avoid an innings defeat and restore some pride. However, his efforts could not prevent an outright loss. Siddhartha was bundled out for 170 runs in the second innings, setting Revatha a target of just 42 runs. Kaveesha Sandeepa was the destroyer-in-chief, bulldozing the batting lineup to finish with 8 wickets in the innings, shattering the record for best bowling figures in an innings. This remarkable performance gave him a rare 10-wicket match haul, cementing his status as a true hero in the “Battle of the Heroes.”
Revatha College came out firing on all cylinders to chase the easy target. Ameesha Upadhya led the charge with a quick 26 runs, featuring a couple of sixes and fours. Revatha reached the target within 6.2 overs, losing only one wicket, to seal a memorable 9-wicket victory in the 37th Battle of the Heroes.
Brief Scorecard
Siddhartha Central College (1st inning) – 149 all out (43.5 Overs)
Chamindu Ishaka 45, Kavinu Perera 38, Visal Gimhan 17, Pabosha Swarna 17,
Jack Sakya 3/44 , Yatheesha Kavish 2/25, Kaveesha Sandeepa 2/26, Dinusha Sathsara 2/08, Sudesh Malsara 1/11
Revatha College, Balapitiya (1st inning) – 278 all out (46.2 Overs)
Jack Shakya 76, Yasiru Nimsara 42, Dasun Sathsara 32, Kalana Chamod 32, Kaveesha Sandeepa 27, Ameesh Upadya 18,
Tharindu Sewmina 4/51, Udara Sampath 3/63, Nirosh Nimsara 2/47, Visal Gimhan 1/23
Siddhartha Central College (2nd inning) 170 all out (46.2 Overs)
Wathika Supeshala 49, Dilshan Mihiranga 26, Nadija Nimsara 25, Kavinu Perera 19, Lakshan Mihiranga 14, Visal Gimhan 12,
Kaveesha Sandeepa 8/35, Kalana Chamod 1/24, Sudesh Malsara 1/25
Revatha College, Balapitiya (2nd inning) – 45/1 (6.2 Overs)
Ameesha Upadhya 26, Dasun Sathsara 12*, Kalana Chamod 05*
Lakshan Mihiranga 1/03
Revatha College, Balapitiya won by nine wickets.
Special Awards
Best Fielder – Yasiru Nimsara (Revatha)
Best Bowler – Kaveesh Sandeepa (Revatha)
Best Batsman – Wathika Supeshala (Siddartha)
Man of the Match – Jack Shakya (Revatha)
