It was a bright Saturday morning when we arrived at House No. 6 on Queens Place. The owner, former Sri Lanka opener Sidath Wettimuny, warmly stepped outside to greet us and open the gate. Wettimuny, Sri Lanka’s first Test centurion, was a member of the national side coached by the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers, who passed away on Friday. Reflecting on his time under one of cricket’s greatest icons, Wettimuny paid heartfelt tribute to Sir Gary. Over the next half-hour, the former Sri Lanka cricketer spoke at length on a wide range of topics, including the current Sri Lanka Test team, young Indian sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the Lanka Premier League and much more.
You were part of the Sri Lanka Test side coached by Sir Gary Sobers. What are your memories of Sir Gary?
Wettimuny: Actually, it wasn’t for our first-ever Test match. He was with us during our first Test against Australia and later toured with us for the 1983 World Cup. It was an amazing experience, and it was very sad to hear of his passing.
That Sri Lanka team had several outstanding players, including the likes of Arjuna Ranatunga, Roy Dias, DuleepMendis and yourself. What was the first thing Sir Garfield Sobers told the team?
Wettimuny: More than anything else, he made us believe in ourselves. Having him around gave us immense confidence. I remember once saying that it felt as though we were walking around with a king. That’s the kind of aura he had. He possessed incredible knowledge about wickets, conditions and how to tackle different situations. We learnt so much from him, and those remain some of the most memorable moments of our careers.
As Sri Lanka’s first Test centurion, do you believe the rise of T20 cricket has affected the temperament and technique of today’s opening batters?
Wettimuny: It’s very difficult to compare eras because the game has evolved tremendously. Today we have three different formats — T20s, ODIs and Test cricket. The game has changed, and we have to accept those changes. Even in Test cricket, players are much more aggressive. The mindset has shifted from defence to attack compared to our era. The biggest change I have noticed, however, is in fielding. It has improved dramatically. Fielding standards are now extraordinary, almost acrobatic. Batting and bowling strategies have changed too, but players today have to constantly adapt their mindset across three formats while coping with a heavy workload. I think the volume of cricket is becoming a concern, particularly in terms of player fitness and injuries.
India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka once shared some of the fiercest rivalries. Over the past decade, however, India has progressed significantly while Sri Lanka have struggled. Why do you think that is?
Wettimuny: Every country goes through ups and downs. Sri Lanka and Pakistan are currently facing difficult periods. But India have reached another level, and I believe the IPL has played a huge role in that transformation. In my playing days, many Indian cricketers told me that your best chance of representing India was by playing for Mumbai, then perhaps Delhi or Madras. Today, the IPL has completely changed that. It doesn’t matter where you come from. If you perform, you’ll get noticed. The IPL has opened up opportunities across every corner of India. With a population of 1.4 billion, India probably have enough talent to field three Test teams. The combination of talent and the IPL has transformed Indian cricket.
The Lanka Premier League is now in its sixth edition. Can it have a similar impact by producing players from all parts of Sri Lanka rather than just Colombo?
Wettimuny: That’s exactly what should happen, and to some extent it already is. But we need to structure the tournament better so that more young players get opportunities alongside experienced professionals. Of course, we don’t have the same player base as India. It’s a completely different scale.
You recently watched Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the Emerging Teams tournament final, where he smashed 94 off just 29 balls. He wasn’t successful, though, in the recent T20Is against England.
Wettimuny: We shouldn’t place unrealistic expectations on someone so young. Every cricketer experiences ups and downs. The biggest challenge for him will be handling the expectations. The authorities need to protect him from excessive pressure. He is an outstanding talent, but he needs to be nurtured carefully so that he becomes more consistent and dependable as he matures.
Sri Lanka recently appointed Gary Kirsten as head coach. Do you believe it was the right decision, and why?
Wettimuny: The previous management brought Gary in, but I am personally delighted that he is here. He is an outstanding coach who understands both the game and the art of coaching. We need to give him time to understand our players, but I am very happy with the appointment. From everything I have seen and heard, there are already positive changes. The players appear happier and more confident. It’s still early days, but his management style is one of his greatest strengths. The selectors feel the same way, and from my interactions with him, I believe his rapport with the players is exceptional. I’m genuinely excited about what lies ahead for Sri Lanka cricket.
Another challenge is that Sri Lanka don’t get to play India as often as before. With a two-Test series coming up, does Sri Lanka Cricket want more regular fixtures against India and other top teams?
Wettimuny: Certainly. We’d love to play India every year, not only because they are one of the strongest teams in the world but also because India’s support has been extremely important for Sri Lanka cricket financially. However, the international calendar is extremely crowded, especially with the World Test Championship. It’s difficult for both boards to find suitable windows. We even wanted to play two additional ODIs against India, but there simply wasn’t enough time. Again, I believe there is too much cricket being played globally, and players don’t get enough rest.
Speaking of the upcoming Test series, what do you make of Shubman Gill as a batter?
Wettimuny: I think he is a wonderful player. He’s technically very correct, and I really enjoy watching him bat. India have produced many outstanding players, but he stands out as one of the finest. After players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, he has emerged as a fabulous cricketer. Sri Lanka will certainly have a tough challenge against him.
Finally, as chairman of the Cricket Committee, what is your long-term vision for Sri Lanka cricket?
Wettimuny: We need to continue working on the areas we’ve identified and, most importantly, ensure continuity. Regardless of who is in charge in the future, the plans must continue. If we maintain that continuity, I’m confident Sri Lanka can once again become a major force in world cricket.
For latest sports updates: Follow RevSportz
The post Sir Garry made us believe in ourselves, says former Sri Lanka opener Sidath Wettimuny appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.
