Upul Chandika Hathurusinghe, widely known as Chandika Hathurusinghe, is a former Sri Lankan cricket player and a highly respected coach. Born on September 17, 1968, in southern Sri Lanka’s Colombo, Hathurusinghe was an opening batsman who possessed a compact style and unwavering determination.
Throughout his career, Hathurusinghe formed a formidable opening partnership alongside Roshan Mahanama. His ability to construct lengthy innings when needed showcased his exceptional skills and mental fortitude. With a variety of strokes at his disposal, he was a potent force at the crease. In addition to his batting prowess, Hathurusinghe proved to be a handy medium-pace bowler, capable of generating genuine movement through the air.
Hathurusinghe’s international career kicked off when he was called up as a replacement for the injured Mahanama in a Test match against New Zealand in Hamilton. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands, making three consecutive half-centuries in his first three Tests. Although he made valuable contributions in subsequent series, he faced a tough time against the South African pacers, which led to him being dropped from the team.
After a period on the sidelines, during which no other opener could establish a permanent position, Hathurusinghe made a successful comeback during Sri Lanka’s tour of Pakistan. He displayed his class and resilience, delivering an excellent series. However, the emergence of Sanath Jayasuriya during the subsequent tour of Australia resulted in Hathurusinghe’s exclusion once again.
Sri Lanka’s search for a competent allrounder led to Hathurusinghe being reinvented as a middle-order batsman and a medium-pace bowler during the tour of England and The Asian Test Championship. Unfortunately, this experiment was short-lived, and Hathurusinghe’s international career began to fade away.
Despite being chosen for the 1999 World Cup, Hathurusinghe did not get an opportunity to step onto the field. The selectors’ focus on bringing in younger players signaled the end to his international cricketing journey. However, Hathurusinghe did not let this setback deter him.
Instead, he decided to transition into coaching. In 2005, Hathurusinghe bid farewell to first-class cricket and directed his energy towards becoming a mentor and guide to young cricketers. He honed his coaching skills with the UAE cricket team and later with the Sri Lanka A team.
Hathurusinghe’s coaching career reached new heights when he was appointed as the head coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team in 2014. Under his guidance, Bangladesh achieved significant success, including their first-ever bilateral series win against India. His tactical acumen and ability to nurture and develop talent proved instrumental in Bangladesh’s rise as a competitive force in international cricket.
In 2017, Hathurusinghe returned to his roots, accepting the position of head coach of the Sri Lankan national cricket team. His aim was to resurrect the Sri Lankan cricketing fortunes and help rebuild a formidable team. With his vast experience and cricketing acumen, he has been lauded for his efforts in guiding and mentoring the next generation of Sri Lankan cricketers.
Chandika Hathurusinghe’s dedication and commitment to the sport of cricket, both as a player and a coach, has left an indelible mark on Sri Lankan cricket. His contribution to the game, both on and off the field, continues to inspire aspiring cricketers in Sri Lanka and beyond.
