‘Jaffna Malinga’ Dhoni’s latest recruit

by Rex Clementine

A toe-crushing yorker sent by 17-year-old Kugadas Mathulan in the recent Big Match between St. John’s College and Jaffna Central College became the talking point in cricket circles. Yorkers are very much a part of fast bowler’s armoury, so what’s special about it? Well, the specialty of Kugadas is that he bowls with a slingy action like Lasith Malinga and the delivery in question had a bit of reverse swing as well.

With Dialog telecasting most of these Big Matches through their sports dedicated channel Papare, the yorker became the cynosure of all eyes and it caught the notice of former Indian captain M.S. Dhoni as well.

Dhoni, the captain and supremo of IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings wanted to take a closer look at the youngster and he was asked to come to Madras this week.

Young Kugadas has been groomed by the District and Provincial Coaches in Jaffna and a key figure in his development has been Amila Kalugalage, who has been mentoring him for the last two years in his capacity as Player Manager.

Kugadas is currently being assessed by CSK with every aspect of his game being looked after. Pace is something that can not be taught and a 17-year-old clocking 130kmph is something very special.

The franchise seems to be keen on the player’s nutrition and development and like Matheesha Pathirana, who first caught the eye of Dhoni at around the same age, this kid too could go places.

Kugadas, from humble beginnings in Jaffna, is currently sharing the same five-star hotel floor like M.S. Dhoni and CSK players. He has been bowling at them during training at Chepauk.

The franchise could soon tie up a deal with him.

CSK is owned by India Cements, where the Managing Director is N. Srinivasan, the former President of BCCI and ICC.

India Cements has a long association with cricket much before IPL and CSK came into existence. They have a reputation as an excellent employer having looked after many cricketers from south India.

Kugadas’ story is a magnificent one and hopefully he will go on to become the first big cricket sensation from northern Sri Lanka.