This day 25 years ago — Sri Lanka
“First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build monuments to you” — Nicholas Klein, a trade union activist
Cricket is almost the lifeblood of South Asia. At cricket match atmosphere in this part of the world is electric. There is nothing quite like it. The fans are fanatics! The lyrics of Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc is an anthem:
I was walkin’ down the street
Concentratin’ on truckin’ right
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked round in a state of fright
I saw four faces, one mad
A brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit
And turned to each other
I say
I don’t like cricket (Oh no!)
I love it
I don’t like cricket (No no!)
I love it
The 1996 cricket World Cup was a game-changer not just for world cricket but for Sri Lanka. The man who changed it — the captain Arjuna Ranatunga. A rebel with a point to prove.
At the time of that World Cup Sri Lanka was still in the grips of a civil war. We were also one of the destinations for the World Cup matches. Citing security concerns countries like Australia and England pulled out of their World Cup qualifying matches to Sri Lanka. Much to the disappointment of fans. That day Arjuna had supposedly said, “I will play Australia in the finals”. And play we did.
I was very young when we won the World Cup. I remember getting permission from my parents to stay up late and watch the day-nighter final. Staying up till 10 when your bedtime was 7, kind of a big deal. But even then I remember the odds we stacked against us. Sri Lanka vs Australia — World Cup cricket final.
It was a true David and Goliath match. Money was on Australia to thrash the Sri Lankans. But the unthinkable happened. The underdog, this tiny nation reeling with civil war, won! Sri Lanka beat the Aussies and all Sri Lankan hearts beat as one that day. No religion, language, belief system could divide us. We beat as one!
Today, when I think back on Arjuna’s strategy to winning the World Cup I can see elements of category design.
One day cricket until 1996 was always played at an even pace, hold all your wickets till the end, and go for a Big Bang in the last 5 overs. Arjuna saw this predictability and flipped it on its head. He took two of the most explosive batsmen in the Sri Lankan side Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana and made them openers. Their brief? Go after the opening bowlers with everything they got!
And it worked! Sri Lanka used to average 10–12 runs per over in the first 10 overs. We easily got to a 100 runs within the first 10 overs and the opposition was flabbergasted. They had NO IDEA how to retaliate. The rest of the innings was then just built around the explosive start. In category design terms this was a lightning strike. Cricket-playing nations across the world started calling emergency board meetings to counter this new style of cricket.
It was said that opening bowlers would shiver when Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana walked out onto the field.
The captain Arjuna — the epitome of cool, an underdog in appearance was a willy strategist. He backed his players 100% percent. He would walk out of cricket matches if his team was insulted. He leads from the front. Whether he realized it or not, Arjuna had created a new category of cricket. He used his appearance to his advantage. As the saying goes initially he was ignored, then he was ridiculed, then attacked and today — he is recognized as one of the greatest cricketing captains the world has seen.
Arjuna together with the World Cup-winning Sri Lankan team revolutionized the game to such an extent that it lead to a new category of cricket — T20. 20 overs per side, explosive batting. He changed how opening batsmen approached the game of cricket.
The impact the 1996 World Cup-winning Sri Lankan team had on cricket is undeniable. It lives on today. That team built a movement. A movement of explosive, swashbuckling cricket that has the fans salivating and demanding for more!
That day, an island nation of 21 million people stood as one. Cheered as one. We forgot the war that was raging. We forgot the reasons why we were fighting. We were all Sri Lankans! United in our support and love for our country, flag, and team. It was amazing! The kind of moment that gives you lasting goosebumps and leaves you wishing for more.
As a fan and as Sri Lankan I thank you!
Sport is a great unifier. It crosses boundaries and transcends our differences. It helps us build movements and create a lasting impact. This planet needs more of such unifying impact-driven moments to remind us all that we are human first, everything else second.