CHENNAI: Charith Asalanka is one of the likeable stars in the cricketing world. The Sri Lankan is the kind of guy who comes across as polite, composed and, at times, awfully kind, because he actually is all of those things. So much that even if you are rooting for his opponents, you would want Asalanka to do well.
If you are his teammate, you know that there is someone who will celebrate and enjoy your success more than you do; that you are going to get a hug from Asalanka every time you contribute to the team on the field... that when things get ugly with a top-order collapse, you have the left-hander to bank on.
In a team that's been through one turmoil after another — whether it is on or off the field — Asalanka, in the past three years, has been the one constant source of joy. His rise, since his debut in 2021, is nothing short of phenomenal. From being an inconsistent No 3 batter to quickly transforming into a reliable finisher at No 5, he really has come a long way. He has been, in many ways, Sri Lanka's crisis man. The latest crisis he has been assigned to resolve post the uninspiring T20 World Cup performance is the top leadership role to take the team forward.
The good thing about this challenge is that he likes it, and he wants to excel at it. What also gives him the confidence that he could do so is that he has always been a leader and has led Sri Lanka at U19 levels. He truly believes that he can rally his teammates and rise to the occasion.
But he also knows he has to lead by example. "Yes, it is a challenge for me," Asalanka tells this daily in a virtual interaction facilitated by Sony Sports Network. "I believe that I can do this, but it's a new challenge, a new chapter in my life. I just got it as an opportunity to give something for my country. So I think it's really, really, really important to get the boys together, and raise their morale and their confidence as the captain," he adds.
Players' confidence and support are something Asalanka enjoys. After all, as said earlier, he is one of the most likeable personalities there is. He has always been individually talking to players, wanting to ensure they give their 100 per cent. Only this time he will be doing it as a captain. Now, this is where his famous hug comes into picture. Asalanka knows the importance of that hug he gives his players on the field, and it has taken more prominence now that he's the captain. "That hug is very important as a captain. Where it came from.. when I was watching cricket matches as a child, I used to watch Australians celebrate. The way they celebrate and shake in the head. I just love that. And I used to do the same.
"It's very important. When things are not going our way, that's the time the captain has to say something and lift their morale. Captain has to lift their confidence. So I think those kinds of little things can make a difference. Personally, I believe that a captain can change their momentum, change their feelings. And that's why I believe those kinds of little things will make a big difference in games."
Now, Asalanka is not all about morale and feeling positive. There's more to him, especially as a captain. He is pragmatic and puts forward an interesting outlook to his job — that a cricket team is a bunch of players and their individual performance is what he needs. "I just want to make a good, professional individual performance. That's my main goal," he says, before adding, "to create a good team, we should have good individual players. Only then, we can become a consistent side. So, I'm talking to individuals, me and the coaches are having chats and (then) we bring in players individually to discuss what their needs, what we think about them. So I want to bring good professional cricketers up to the level. So far I have a few, but I want to make a few more to bring this team really up."
The first challenge he is up against are the T20 WC-winners, India. They, too, are a team in transition, and have a new captain and coach — Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir, respectively. Asalanka knows what to expect from them and is ready for it. "My first goal is to win the series as always. We all know that they have a good side, good individual players. So it will be challenging for us. But as a captain, I want to make sure that my players are doing well and their mindset is up to the mark to challenge India."
Watch the live coverage of India Tour of Sri Lanka, 7 PM onwards starting on 27th July 2024 LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 5 & Sony Sports Ten 1 in English, Sony Sports Ten 3 in Hindi and Sony Sports Ten 4 channels in Tamil & Telugu.
Sony Sports Network is the official broadcaster for India Tour of Sri Lanka in India - comprising three T20Is & three ODIs.