Will The Lions’ Roar Count?

Posted on October 11, 2021October 31, 2021 by Ranjan Mellawa

A preview of Sri Lanka’s chances at the World T20 Cup 2021

Sri Lanka's T20I series win against a depleted Indian side at R Premadasa Stadium

Sri Lanka players celebrate the rare 2-1 T20I series win against a depleted Indian side at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 29 July 2021. (© AP)

Come October and in the First Round of the World T20, Sri Lankans will lock horns with the Dutch, the Irish and Namibians in Group A. In Group B, the tussle would be between Bangladeshis, Scots, Papua New Guineans, and Omanis. The two top rungs in each group will proceed to the Super 12’s.

Plenty of off-field distractions, coupled with an inconsistent recent track-record; the outcome of their team’s best efforts in the tournament, may be akin to the suspense of an Alfred Hitchcock movie, in the minds of Sri Lankan fans, right now.

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“We are the Champions” … pause …, “Again!”

Posted on May 20, 2019May 30, 2019 by Ranjan Mellawa

Sri Lanka players celebrate as they pose with the ICC World Twenty20 trophy after winning the final match against India at The Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 6 April 6, 2014.

Nine o’clock, the morning of 6 April 2014, still in bed and staring at the ceiling. Emotions ran high.

“A penny for your thoughts,” said Jagath.

“After four ‘finals’ losses in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2012, the benefit of the law of averages is long overdue,” I replied.

“They should give a fitting farewell to the twin towers, Mahela and Sanga.” This from Jagath.

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