THE story of Hashan Tillekeratne in my opinion contains the most amazing turnaround by a Sri Lankan cricketer in the recent past. Having been a member of a team that was dethroned in the World Cup of 1999 and dropped due to the Youth Policy of the BCCSL which was to be adopted thereafter, Tillekeratne to me seems to be the one who always carried the tag of sacrifice. He was discarded after 1999 and in his place many talented and younger players were experimented with. However, the saying of Form being temporary and Class being an eternal factor could not have been truer in Tillekeratne's case.
The name Hashan Tillekeratne first figured with some prominence at the NCC where both he and I played our First Class cricket way back in 1984. That was the time I had retired from the International scene and used to play the odd game for the NCC when a youngster from DS Senanayake College, Colombo was attending practice session. He was a pleasant looking lad around 16 years. The impression created by the young Tillekeratne was so great that, he was thrown straight in to the deep end of things. It was about that time that the NCC pace attack was spearheaded by two of Sri Lanka's best young quicks, Rumesh Ratnayake and Ravi Ratnayake, who later went on to represent their country. Young Tillekeratne was immediately put to the test, by being asked to face these two quickies on a matting wicket. It was indeed an experience for the young Tillekeratne who no doubt came through with flying colours. And that was to me the turning point in the career of Tillekeratne.
Since that day Hashan Tillekeratne was more or less a permanent feature for the NCC. Growing in the shadows of players of the calibre of Ranjan Madugalle, Aravinda de Silva, Yohan Gunasekara, Amal Silva and the two Ratnayake's, Ravi and Rumesh, it was only a matter of time before he broke in to the big league. Breakthrough finally came and that was in 1986 against India in Sharjah in a one-day game. However there was little doubt that Hashan's passion was for the longer game. Being called the NO batsman meaning not out batsman, due to his determination in preserving his wicket, it was the Test debut that was cherished by him. Against Australia in 1989 young Tillekeratne had baptism by fire with the likes of Craig McDermott, Campbell and Merv Hughes in their pace attack. The way he withstood the barrage of bouncers and sledging from the seasoned Aussies was a particular delight to me as memory took me back to the drilling he got on the matting against both Rumesh and Ravi Ratnayake. Standing behind him on that day the only advice I gave young Hashan was to keep his eyes on the ball. And his first Test and the subsequent ones only confirmed his willingness to listen and learn. Even now Tillekeratne always thinks very highly of his Test century in Perth in 1995 and the century he got against the West Indies in a thriller in Sharjah.
Hashan Tillekeratne was not thought of merely as a batsman. But as a fielder of exceptional class close to the wicket and as a future leader too. His leadership skills were way beyond his age, and just a simple conversation on cricket will easily convince one, that here was a man who has great depth and knowledge. It was a pity that Hashan Tillekeratne was not entrusted with the leadership for more than the one Test he captained in 1999 in the Asian Test Championship, where I had the privilege of managing the side. In the absence of the seniors, Tillekeratne settled down well as a leader and the manner he conducted himself both on and off the field was exemplary.
If 1999 marked the high point of his career with the captaincy, unfortunately it was also the year of his lowest. Having been dropped from the National team after the defeat in the World Cup, it took Tillekeratne two long years to get back to the Sri Lanka team and that too not without criticism. When Hashan was selected to play against England in a three day game for the Board XI under somebody much junior to him, he accepted the position with humility. One felt that he was definitely on trial, and will be included on a good performance. But with a failure in that game, the Tillekeratne we all know to be a man of steel was written off once again. But Hashan is Hashan and he will never be anybody less. In 2001, the opportunity Tillekeratne grabbed after two low scores in the first two Tests tells the story. That is how much Sri Lanka Cricket missed Hashan. In fairness to the selectors despite the pressure after his failures in the first two Tests, Tillekeratne was retained. And it is no doubt as it stands now, was the correct decision. Two centuries, one double century and a half century in the last 5 Tests. If that isn't an achievement I fail to think what is. Having captained his club to the Premier Championship the last season and averaging 100 plus in the local first class tournaments, it is clear that Hashan Tillekeratne is currently riding a crest. His performance has not only given stability to the Sri lankan batting but has also given Jayasuriya confidence with his brilliant stroke play and magnificent close catching.
Married to Apsari and blessed with twins Dumidu and Rumidu, one gets the feeling that Hashan Tillekeratne is a much satisfied man. However, knowing him closely I am convinced that he by nature is never satisfied. His ambitions which are generally short term in nature, are to succeed and succeed at all times.
The Hashan Tillekeratne I know will always play his cricket that way. I am sure he has no plans of retirement. On the contrary he has all the plans to score more and more. May be 5000 Test runs, 15 Test hundreds, a Test average of 50 plus and even a place in the one-day side. These could be some of the goals he is setting his eyes on. And taking a look at his past this truly amazing cricketer can realise his dreams, especially after the remarkable comeback he has had.
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