I love Sri Lankan Cricket; in victory and in defeat!

The writing was on the wall long before the Indian captain Dhoni hit the winning runs and the Sri Lankan fans watching the game on a big screen at the CH and FC grounds new that. The roar of the crowd when Thisara Perera hit the last ball of the Sri Lankan innings for six; the jubilation felt when Malinga took the prized wickets of Sehwag and Tendulkar seemed like a life time ago. A lot will be written about what went wrong but I think that no matter how much you analyze the game you will find that at the end of the day the better team won.

As a Sri Lankan fan the hard reality is that for the second consecutive world cup we have ended up as loosing finalists. On both occasions the journey to the final was not easy and was only possible due to the hard work that the team has been putting in over the last decade. We have consistently been one of the better teams in world cricket. The looks of disappointment were clearly evident in the faces of the crowed as they prayed for a miracle that was not to come, not this time at least. However, those very same faces were full of pride and anyone there would have told you how proud they were of their team. In defeat as much as in victory Sri Lankan fans have always been loyal. There was just disappointment and a hell of a lot of pride, and there was certainly no room for anger.

Once Dhoni had hit the final blow the crowd finally started to disperse trying to beat the traffic. However, a large portion remained to watch the presentation ceremony and cheered their team on as they collected their runners up medals. The skipper Sangakkara’s message was to the point and as brilliant as ever. He made no excuses for losing to a better side and was full of praise for his opponents and once again the pride that he took in his teams magnificent run to the final was evident.

There was even some applause, subdued yet full of respect for the Indian team as the crowd watched the winners collect their medals. They listened to the Indian Skipper Dhoni answering his critics and praising his team. If there was one thing that I would have liked to see that would have been something directed at the Sri Lankan team from both Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, the man of the tournament. They were both quick to emphasize how they had answered their critics and were more intent of praising their own team that they seemed to forget the team that had given them a good run for their money. A little message of encouragement or a ‘better luck next time’ would have been a nice touch but it was their moment and I wish to take nothing away from them. As the Indian team lifted the trophy up in Mumbai the crowed in Colombo started to leave, there were even scattered outbursts of fireworks. Of course it was nothing of the sort that would have erupted had Sri Lanka won the game but it goes to show how graciously Sri Lankans accept defeat.

The team was then welcomed by thousands still waving Sri Lankan flags proudly as the team returned home the next day. The media conference was held at Independence square and the crowd were cheering their heroes on and they were there to bid adieu to a legend of cricket, Muralitharan.

All that I can say is that I am very proud of the Sri Lankan team but even more so of my country. Our fans are simply the best out there. The Indian and Pakistani crowds get violent and disruptive, the Aussies crucify their captain, and the English ridicule their team through the media, while we see it for what it is a sport and defeat is a part of it so we move on. We were right there four years ago when Gilchrist came at us with a squash ball in his glove, we were right there yesterday when Dhoni tossed the coin twice and more importantly we will be there four years from now supporting our beloved cricket team as they mount another assault on that coveted trophy!