Lahiru Kumara- Reaching Milestone of 100 Test Wickets

 In 8 years of his career Lahiru Kumara, had established a reputation of being erratic but impressive fast bowler, as he completes the milestone of 100 Test wickets, we look at his career and what future promises

 

Chandradasa Brahammana Ralalage Lahiru Sudesh Kumarawas born in Kandy on 13^th February 1997.  Right from the young age, he was more interested in the fast bowling, the least preferred option as a cricketer in subcontinent. At very young age, Sampath Perera (Trinity College coach) saw his potential and got him in Trinity College, he was only 9 years of age.

Kumara’s friends tell about his days at Trinity, how he bowled fast but was a hard hitting batsman. Kumara’s progress through age group was nothing but phenomenal. After going to Bangladesh and Pakistan for youth series at the age of 18, Kumara was first noticed on the tour of England in 2016.  Kumara took 11 wickets in second youth Test in August 2016. This got him a call for the national side.

In October 2016, at the age of 19, Lahiru Kumara became 139^th cricketer to play test cricket for Sri Lanka.He bowled fast on both the tours but it was clearly evident he was raw deal whom the management needed to nurture carefully, This is evident from his Test figures in the first 18 months, where he managed 23 wickets in 9 matches at an unremarkable average of 49.43. However, his potential came to the fore during the 2018 tour of the West Indies, where he claimed 17 wickets in the series at an impressive average of 19.88. Yet, consistency has remained his Achilles' heel, as reflected in the fluctuating trajectory of his career graph.

                            Lahiru Kumara made his debut against Zimbabwe in 2016 at the age of 19 

Over the past 12 months, Lahiru Kumara has begun to hit his stride, delivering performances befitting a leading pacer—a role Sri Lanka has long envisioned for him. His impressive displays against Bangladesh, England, and most recently, South Africa, signify that Kumara has elevated his game to a new level.

Lahiru Kumara reached the milestone of 100 Test wickets in his 33rd match, with a bowling average of 35.34—a record that, while middling, does not diminish his achievements. He is only the third Sri Lankan fast bowler, after Chaminda Vaas (355) and Suranga Lakmal (171), to achieve this landmark, underscoring his significance in Sri Lanka's pace-bowling legacy.

The real test for Lahiru Kumara lies in sustaining his newfound consistency, a hallmark of truly great bowlers. This will be a significant challenge for the burly pacer from Kandy, especially as he is yet to establish himself as Sri Lanka's first-choice seamer. Asitha Fernando currently holds the mantle of the team’s premier fast bowler.

                             Kumara is only the third seamer to take 100 Test wickets for Sri Lanka 

Nevertheless, Kumara's recent performances have earned the team's trust, allowing him to surpass competitors like Vishwa Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera to become Sri Lanka's second-choice pacer. This achievement is particularly noteworthy, as it ensures his inclusion even in home conditions, where the team traditionally fields two seamers alongside three spinners.

At just 27, Lahiru Kumara has a potentially long career ahead, with ample opportunity to break numerous records. However, realizing this potential will require him to consistently deliver on the promise he showed at the onset of his international career. His ability to maintain form, fitness, and focus will be key to fulfilling these early expectations and cementing his legacy in Sri Lankan cricket.