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Dilhara Fernando |
As one reporter described him, he's more of a wildcard, who can win or lose you a match in one spell.
Fernando lives for the big moments. His career is about dramatic moments, be it changing the complexion of the game, or being the central character in a tight finish.
That dream ball
Indian fans remember him as the man who wrecked their 2007 World Cup campaign with a dream ball to dismiss Sachin Tendulkar in the do-or-die game at Port of Spain.
Indian Premier League fans will remember him as the Mumbai Indians player, who wrecked their team's semi-final chances with a poor final over in the all-important game against Rajasthan Royals. And, for the Sri Lankan fans, he is the one, who bowled the last over in their win over England in the World Cup 2007 Super Six game at Antigua.
Fernando says he gets his adrenaline flowing when he has a battle on hand against the best. "I like to bowl to good batsmen. If I do well against a good player, then I know I am a good. I like to bowl to players like Sachin Tendulkar. For, if I do well against them, I am a hero," Fernando told MiD DAY at the Sinhalese Cricket Club yesterday.
Fernando's theory has worked well for him in his international career. When he was struggling to get his place back in the team, he turned around his fortunes with a magic delivery against India at the 2007 World Cup. He broke through Tendulkar's defence with a peach of an in-cutter and from a non-starter, played all the remaining games till the final.
Great moment
"I was not in the original XI against India. (Farveez) Maharoof was supposed to play but he picked up an ankle injury and I was in. I got Sachin's wicket and it was a great moment.
"I got my confidence back and I bowled really well after that. They considered me to play ahead of Maharoof as the third seamer during the tournament and I did a good job," the strapping bowler said.
However, his big-match theory of instant success backfired for the Mumbai Indians. His last over goof-ups against Rajasthan Royals cost the team a sure semi-final spot.
"It was a very sad day. If I had collected the last ball, we would have been in the semis."
What happened? Did he get nervous? "Everybody gets nervous in the last over. But remember, in the World Cup in a similar situation against England, I bowled the last over and won the match by defending the 12 runs needed. Unfortunately, at Jaipur, I failed."
Sachin will go past Lara in this series
Dilhara Fernando, who is recuperating from a knee strain, is hopeful of being fit for the second Test to renew his rivalry with Sachin Tendulkar. "Sachin is the best batsman in the world. There are two more Test matches and the wickets are flat. I think he will get his record here. But if I get a chance to bowl, I will give my everything to get his wicket," said Fernando.
COLOMBO CHATTER
Mr Popular
It pays to be a maverick character. Ask Lasith Malinga! The Sri Lankan tear-away pacer with fancy long hair, striped in different colours tops the popularity charts here by a long shot.
Muttiah Muralitharan may be the best bowler in the world, Kumar Sangakkara may be scoring runs by the ton, Mahela Jayawardene may be the national captain, but it is Malinga, who is the corporate world's favourite. Among sportsmen, his is the face adorning most advertising hoardings. He has the most number of endorsements and commands the biggest price as well.
According to a Sri Lankan Cricket official, his price is anywhere between Rs 3.5 to 4 million Sri Lankan rupees. It may be peanuts compared to Indian super stars, but in Lanka no other sportsman has commanded this kind of price.
Coloured autos
Identical Bajaj auto rickshaws ply in Colombo like any city in India. The only difference is they are not black and yellow in colour. There is some relief to the eye here, as you will find autos in various colours. The local traffic police office has allowed them to use four colours blue, red, green and beige. The colour is mentioned in the registration book at the time of buying the vehicle. If one wants to change it, he has to register again.
Getting chatty, Dave?
THE ICC's acting CEO Dave Richardson is here. Not very long ago he was an excellent wicketkeeper for South Africa. Gary Kirsten happened to be his teammate in both Tests and one-dayers. Richardson has been at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground to keep a check on the Umpires Referral system. It is also time to catch up with his former mate Gary Kirsten. The two have been seen often having lengthy chats.
One doubts it had anything to do with cricket.
