We were one family in 1996: Tillakaratne

Hashan Tillakaratne isn't a name that promptly strikes a chord when naming Sri Lanka's best batsmen in their 36 years of best flight cricket, however the classy left-hander was an indispensable piece of Sri Lanka's development into an impressive power from the most up to date Test group in 1982 to World Cup Champions in 1996. Coming into the ODI side in 1986, Tillakaratne was a bustling center request batsman who scored 3789 keeps running in 200 matches, however it was in Test cricket where his class really shone through. In 83 coordinates in the wake of making his presentation in 1986 Tillakaratne, who additionally captained Sri Lanka in 11 Tests, found the middle value of 42.87 and scored 11 Test hundreds of years, five of which were in away matches - a particularly vital commitment when Sri Lanka were all the while taking in the ropes in Test cricket. 

He is presently a batting mentor in Sri Lanka's High Performance Center, and keeping in mind that the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo was preparing itself for the India-Bangladesh Nidahas Trophy coordinate on Wednesday, Tillakaratne was watching a match between the Colombo Cricket Club (CCC) and Nondescripts Cricket Club at the CCC ground in another piece of the city. The Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin gotten up to speed with him there and discussed the 1996 World Cup win, Sri Lanka's and Bangladesh's development and his proceeding with want to mentor Bangladesh, in addition to other things. 

The accompanying are passages from the restrictive meeting: 

The Daily Star [TDS]: What have you been up to as of late? 

Hashan Tillakaratne [HS]: I am functioning as one of the batting mentors with Sri Lanka Cricket. I am appreciating working with the young men and it's my obligation to give something back to Sri Lankan cricket as it has given me a considerable measure. I have done my level 2 and level 3 [ICC instructing programmes] and they helped me and now I am a qualified mentor. At the present time, I am working at the elite focus as one of the batting mentors and making the most of my chance. 

TDS: You were the primary Sri Lanka batsman to score a hundred in South Africa [in 2002]. What might be your recommendation for subcontinental batsmen to be effective there? 

HS: We had been to South Africa several times previously and we knew the conditions would be troublesome. I got my work done extremely well and I needed to enhance my batting on the back foot. Also, it worked extremely well for me. All the subcontinental sides have battled in South Africa and you need to chip away at your shortcomings. You have to enhance your ability and solid focuses as you have every one of the offices at home, yet it relies upon the person. 

TDS: What was the change for Sri Lanka from your presentation in 1986 to the World Cup win in 1996? What would bangladesh be able to gain from that? 

HS: Before 1996 the vast majority of the folks played together for seven-eight years; we knew our qualities and shortcomings and we were one family. Also, fortunately, conditions helped us amid the 1996 World Cup and the collaboration was fabulous. It was far from when I began in 1986 to the 1996 World Cup. As a group we were not worried about something besides playing for Sri Lanka. 

TDS: How vital is the part of a mentor, or is it for the most part down to the players ? 

HS: I believe it's a blend. I can recollect when Dave Whatmore came to Sri Lanka in 1995. I can recollect when he brought Alex [Kontouri], the physio around then. We were not familiar with rec center work and eating regimen control back then, yet he was extremely strict and particular about our wellness and we ended up fitter after that. 

TDS: Were you drawn closer by the Bangladesh Cricket Board for the post of batting mentor as of late? 

HS: Not generally, however I have connected for the post as I need to get some understanding and simply completed my level 2 and 3. I have played in Bangladesh before in 1989 for Brothers Union and afterward I played for Mohammedan in 2000-2001. I think Bangladesh have made some amazing progress and they have some skilful players. It's great to see them playing admirably. 

TDS: Are you inspired by working in Bangladesh? 

HS: Oh yes, obviously I am particularly intrigued. Whatever part I get I will be upbeat to work with the Bangladesh group, be it as a batting mentor or some other part. 

TDS: What is your style of training? 

HS: It relies upon what age aggregate you get; it's distinctive with the under-19s and youngsters and it's diverse with the seniors. I need to be a blue mentor as opposed to a red mentor. When you are in the under-19s you should be a red mentor, so it contrasts. 

TDS: How would you see the adjustments in cutting edge cricket? 

HS: I think flexibility is vital in cutting edge cricket. It's essential to keep yourself arranged for whatever is coming at you. There are establishment classes, so it's hard to keep up the wellness consistently and I can't see players playing every one of the three configurations routinely. The physical level has gone up and it's up to the players as there is a high possibility of getting harmed, however I think players are prepared for it and we need to move with the circumstances. 

TDS: BCB is searching for a mentor of an indistinguishable attitude from Chandika Hathurusingha after he surrendered... 

HS: I think as an outcast I can see that Hathurusingha has given a ton to Bangladesh cricket. Yet, what I can state is whether you get somebody from the same social foundation that may enable Bangladesh to cricket to go ahead. 

TDS: Do the 1996 World Cup winning squad meet regularly or have reunions? 

HS: Yes, we meet and even a year ago we played a philanthropy amusement where every one of the players of the 1996 squad were there. We meet regularly as Colombo is a little place and we meet frequently on birthday celebrations, weddings and furthermore, the 22nd commemoration is going ahead the eighteenth of March. It's decent to see we as a whole are getting more established and our youngsters have grown up. 

TDS: Your two children are playing top of the line cricket in Sri Lanka... 

HS: Yes, my twins are playing top of the line cricket and both have spoken to the Sri Lanka under-19 side. Since I am the cricket secretary of the NCC I have instructed them to play outside. When they are at home I show them however when they come here all these folks are children to me. They should take in the most difficult way possible.