Sri Lanka U-19 star Ravindu Rasantha’s run riot

By: Allaam Ousman

Ravindu Rasantha de Silva has been in prolific form this season in the National Super League, turning out for Jaffna and leading the run charts ahead of established names like Kamil Mishara and Avishka Fernando.

With an astounding average of 141.0, the 23-yearold has lived up to his early promise from his days at S. Thomas’ College, where he was a regular member of the Sri Lanka Under-19 team and the secondhighest run-getter at the 2020 U-19 World Cup.

His performance earned him the honour of being selected for the ICC World XI, a testament to his immense potential. Currently at the peak of his career, the elegant right-handed, technically correct opening batter showcased his class by smashing a career-best 244 for Colts against Ace Capital in January’s Major Club Tournament.

This innings reinforced his credentials as a player ready to step up for Sri Lanka, especially with the recent retirement of former skipper Dimuth Karunaratne opening a vacancy at the top of the order.

Rasantha has already demonstrated his ability to deliver under pressure on the world stage, having played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s U-19 World Cup campaign. A fine student of the game, Rasantha possesses a fluid and expansive batting style. He is technically sound, flamboyant, and aggressive without being reckless in shot selection.

“I have always believed in playing to my strengths while adapting to match situations,” he reflects. “Patience, determination, and a hunger for runs are what drive me.”

His ability to handle both pace and spin with confidence has been proven at domestic and international levels, where he has seized every opportunity to showcase his talent. Leading the run charts in the National Super League, Rasantha has amassed 423 runs in just four innings, including two double-hundreds. His 206* against Kandy, featuring an attack led by Lahiru Kumara, was a statement innings.

“I knew I had to bat deep and anchor the innings, especially against a strong bowling lineup. My focus was on building partnerships and capitalising on scoring opportunities,” he explains.

His success in the tournament has placed him ahead of renowned batters like Mishara (366 runs) and Avishka Fernando (293 runs). With a cricketing journey that began at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda, before moving to S. Thomas’ for his O-Level exams in 2018, Rasantha quickly made a name for himself. His first season saw him smash three centuries and a double hundred, setting the foundation for his future success. His father, a key influence in his career, always encouraged him to pursue cricket professionally.

“My father has been my greatest inspiration. His dream was to see me play for Sri Lanka, and I am committed to making it a reality,” he said.

Having played in seven tours with the Sri Lanka U-19 team across countries like the West Indies, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Rasantha gained invaluable international experience. His standout performance in the 2020 U-19 World Cup, where he scored 286 runs at an average of 71.50, underscored his ability to perform under pressure.

“That tournament gave me the confidence to believe that I could compete at the highest level,” he recalls. Rasantha credits his school coaches, Saman Lasinka at Dharmasoka College and Dinesh Kumarasinghe at S. Thomas’ College, for shaping his game. “They always pushed me to strive for excellence and improve every aspect

of my batting,” he acknowledges.

He also expresses gratitude to his U-19 head coach Hashan Tillakaratne, who played a crucial role in his development. “Coach Hashan’s advice was simple: trust your instincts and play to your strengths. That guidance has stayed with me throughout my career.” Now, with a firm  eye on cementing his place in the senior national team, Rasantha remains unfazed by the challenges ahead. “I am fully confident in my ability to contribute to Sri Lanka cricket.

It’s about consistency, hard work, and making every opportunity count.” With his hunger, determination, and a solid technique, Ravindu Rasantha is well on his way to filling the void left by Karunaratne and becoming a prolific batter for Sri Lanka.