The Sri Lankan cricket team have introduced a lot of mystery spinners to the world over the years. However, only Muttiah Muralitharan has been able to live up to that tag throughout the career. Ajantha Mendis looked like the real deal but gradually faded away as batsmen began to pick his deliveries.
Chinaman bowler Lakshan Sandakan has also shown early signs of promise but it remains to be seen how he fares ahead.
However, the latest sensation is Akila Dananjaya who singlehandedly almost helped Sri Lanka to victory with his spell of 6/54 in the second ODI against India at Pallekele.
When we dig deeper into his career, everything about him seems to be a mystery. Even his name – Mahamarakkala Kurukulasooriya Patabendige Akila Dananjaya Perera.
The most interesting aspect about Dananjaya’s career is that that he was fast-tracked into the Sri Lankan squad without having any first-class, List A, T20I or U-19 cricket experience.
Dananjaya had only been playing tier-three school cricket for the little-known Mahanama Vidyalaya when he was called upon for a net session with the Sri Lankan squad ahead of Pakistan's tour in 2011. Little did he know that the session would eventually go on to shape his career.
The Sri Lankan legend Mahela Jayawardene, along with coach Graham Ford, were very impressed with what they had seen. They saw he had seven variations up his sleeve including the leg-spinner, googly, the doosra and the stock off-spinner.
They asked him to work on his consistency and line and length a bit. He was then selected to play for the Wayamba United in the Sri Lankan Premier League under the tutelage of skipper Mahela Jayawardene. He impressed everyone there.
By the time he got picked in the 2012 World T20 squad at Jayawardene’s recommendation, he already had picked up 7 wickets at an average of 11 and economy rate of 4.81 in the SLPL.
This raised many eyebrows as it gave rise to a rumor mill surrounding him. Some suggested he had got into the squad with political help whereas some said it was with the help of money.
Little did they know he was the son of a carpenter from Panadora, just south of Colombo. And for an 18-year old kid with not-so-well-off background to take such measures seemed too much.
Jayawardene didn’t hesitate to give Dananjaya his debut cap in the 2012 World T20 pool match against New Zealand.
He didn't have to wait long for his maiden international wicket as he had Martin Guptill caught at long off in the third ball of his career.
An aggressive drive from Rob Nicol struck him fiercely in the nose a while after. However, he continued bowling even after that, with a cotton pad up his nose to stop the bleeding. He had Nicol caught at deep mid wicket in the very next over and ended up with figures of 2/32.
I just wanted to give him a game early on so that his jitters are over. He bowled really well and came back even with a knock. Good that he got a game under the belt. He’s a competitor. When he got hit I went to him thinking he was gone for the game. He said, ‘Shit, I missed that catch.’ And he was bleeding from his nose. That’s his attitude.Mahela Jayawardene as quoted by ESPNCricinfo
Dananjaya couldn't play in the next match due to that injury and gradually fell out of favour with the selectors as Jayawardene retired. He spent five years in exile from the Sri Lankan squad. However, he was called back to the ODI squad for the Zimbabwe series. He impressed with figures of 4/47 in the fifth ODI.
His spell of 6/54 against India couldn't help his team to victory as he didn't get able support from the other bowlers.
The batsmen will gradually start to pick him with time. Video analysis behind the scenes have already begun. He will have to keep improving his game to always stay one step ahead.
He is only 23 years old and has a lot of time ahead. However, It remains to be seen whether he goes on to become legendary like the great Muralitharan or gradually fade away like Ajantha Mendis.
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