Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Arjuna Ranatunga

House Democracy Partnership by House Democracy Partnership from Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Remarkable Facts about Arjuna Ranatunga

One of Sri Lanka’s finest captains is Arjuna Ranatunga, who was born on December 1st, 1963. By guiding Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 World Cup, he transformed the sport of cricket in that country. In 93 Test matches and 269 One-Day Internationals, he played for Sri Lanka (ODIs). The former captain of Sri Lanka is profiled in 15 facts by Nishad Pai Vaidya.

1. His father was a politician

The son of Reggie, a well-known politician in Sri Lanka, is Arjuna Ranatunga snr. Ranatunga senior served in a variety of political roles during his life and was a member of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party.

2. All his brothers have been involved in cricket

Dammika, Nishantha, and Sanjeeva Ranatunga’s brothers have all excelled in international competition for Sri Lanka. All of the other brothers—aside from Nishantha—have participated in Test cricket. Currently, Nishantha serves as Sri Lanka Cricket’s secretary.

3. He received his education at Ananda College

Ananda Marga College by Ashish itct from Wikimedia Commons

Ananda College, which has produced several well-known figures in Sri Lanka, is where Ranatunga earned his schooling. Other cricketers who graduated from Ananda College include Sidath Wettimuny, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, and Tilina Kandamby.

4. First Sri Lankan to score a Test fifty

Ranatunga participated in Sri Lanka’s first Test match at the age of 18 in Colombo. Together with Ranjan Madugalle, he scored 54 runs during a 99-run stand. In a Test match, he was the first Sri Lankan to reach fifty points.

5.Ranatunga was a part-time bowler

Ranatunga bowled on the side and occasionally used his military medium pace. The hosts needed to win a One-Day International (ODI) against India at Kanpur in 1986 by scoring 196 runs. Amazing stats of 6-1-14-4 were delivered by Ranatunga, who also bowled India out for 78.

6. He became a captain at a young age 

Dinesh by Amal316 from Wikimedia Commons

Ranatunga was the youngest person to lead Sri Lanka in an ODI at the age of 24 years, 333 days. Dinesh Chandimal, the 23-year-old captain of Sri Lanka, later broke this record. Ranatunga commanded Sri Lanka in a Test match at the age of 26 years and 5 days.

7. He has the highest batting average in the 1996 World Cup

Ranatunga had the highest average in the competition despite scoring 241 runs during Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning campaign in 1996. Ranatunga’s average of 120.50 stood out among other batters who scored more frequently in the competition.

Aravinda de Silva, who scored 89.60, came in second. Ranatunga had the second-highest strike rate (114.76) among batsmen who scored more than 100 runs during the competition. With 131.54, Sanath Jayasuriya was the only one ahead.

8. He was not the greatest runner

Ranatunga’s hefty build made him less than ideal for dashing between the wickets. He would frequently stroll to the opposite end in hopes of finding a single. The phrase “energy conservation” is reported to have been used by many commentators.

9. He was the only cricketer to play in his country’s first and 100th Test matches

Pollock by Wikimedia Commons

When Sri Lanka was granted Test status in 1982, Ranatunga participated in that Test. Ranatunga was a member of the starting lineup for Sri Lanka’s 100th Test match in 2000. He was the only cricketer to have played in both the first and 100th Tests for his country as a result. He amusingly only had 93 Tests to his name after he was completed.

10. He got into political affairs

Given that his family was connected, Ranatunga was destined for a career in politics. After retiring, he was a member of two political parties, although he later abandoned both for a variety of reasons. Ranatunga has previously played for Sri Lanka Cricket.

In 2008, he presided over the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, but this time he wound up upsetting his own officials. That he lasted in the chair for less than a year is hardly shocking. But it will never change the reality that he was one of the best players the game has ever known.