Colombo South were playing an Under-19 Provincial game in 2021. For a minute or two, it seemed just like any routine age-group match taking place somewhere in Sri Lanka. But scratch the outside coating, and you could visualise the sheer passion of a young cricketer.
Dunith Wellalage, who has now become the toast of an entire nation, had sustained an injury but didn’t want to miss out on even a single game. “In one provincial match, he injured his finger, that match also he wanted to play, he always wants to play matches,” Chamila Gamage, who coached him at the Under-19 level, told RevSportz.
Gamage also observed Wellalage’s zeal from close quarters at the Under-19 World Cup held in the West Indies in 2022. Wellalage bagged the most wickets in that tournament and also compiled 264 runs at an average of 44. His immense contribution to the side wasn’t restricted to just batting or bowling. He also showcased leadership skills. One of Wellalage’s qualities in that tournament was that he always fronted up to bowl the tough overs, including at the death.
The Group D game between West Indies and Sri Lanka served as evidence. He bowled the 45th and 49th overs of West Indies’ innings. In the 45th over, he gave away a solitary run. Although Wellalage came off second-best while bowling to Rivaldo Clarke in the penultimate over, his sound temperament stood out as he didn’t lose his control under pressure. Basically, Wellalage seemed to have found a delete button to forget the past and concentrate on the next ball.
“He was the captain at the Under-19 World Cup,” said Gamage. “Normally, spinners don’t like to bowl in the last Powerplay but he is not like that. In team meetings, he was always saying that he would bowl in the Powerplay. He is very good in the death overs. In the Under-19 World Cup, he took a lot of wickets in the last Powerplay.”
Cricket is in Wellalage’s genes. Suranga Wellalage, his father, played cricket for Prince of Wales in Moratuwa. Chamath, one of his brothers, was named the captain of his school team at St. Sebastian’s College in May this year. Initially, Dunith also attended the same school. “My mother, father, two brothers and I,” said Dunith about his family to RevSportz. “My dad has a cricketing background, he used to play cricket for his school. My parents have given me a lot of support for my cricket since my junior days. My father advises me on cricket most of the time. Their support gives me a big boost.
“I have had a passion for cricket since I was in Grade 3. I think one of the unforgettable memories I have is that when I was playing for the Under-19s, the first year with Richmond Galle, I scored a century and got four wickets for my school. All these memories made me more passionate about cricket and motivated me to work hard to make my school and country proud.”
Looking at those descriptions of Wellalage, one can imagine a cricketer who is a bundle of energy on the field – be it batting, bowling or fielding. Yes, even fielding. Just do a Google Search with the key words – Wellalage and brilliant catches – and you will end up unearthing a few blinders. One of them was in a domestic match from last year, where he flung himself to his left to grab a stunner. Even in the recently concluded Asia Cup, he came across as a livewire on the field.
It was also the tournament where Wellalage stunned the famed Indian batting unit by taking the prized wickets of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli in a Super Fours game. Granted that the pitch was offering help for the spinners. It is also true that the current set of Indian batters have had their issues against left-arm spin. But when Wellalage bowled, one could see the drift and hear the almost-electric whir as it turned sharply. Gill’s wicket was a case in point.
Wellalage’s bowling wasn’t just about imparting more than enough revs on the ball. He experimented subtly with his pace and length. While bowling to Kohli, he shortened his length a bit on a pitch that was holding up a bit. Kohli, who was on the back foot, could only spoon a catch to the fielder stationed at midwicket.
For Wellalage, it also came down to sticking to basics. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that he picked Ravindra Jadeja as his favourite, as the Indian all-rounder too has reaped the rewards for his rather uncomplicated approach to spin bowling. “Playing against all these players was an unforgettable experience for me as a youngster,” said Wellalage. “I always try to bowl the correct line and length. I always maintain simple plans when it comes to bowling, which has helped me a lot in my career.”
From Wellalage’s thoughts, it is also quite clear that he doesn’t look at his batting as just an add-on to his skill set. “I have always looked at myself as an all-rounder and worked hard to maintain it,” he said.
When Wellalage took his maiden international wicket, Steven Smith, and finished with creditable figures of 2 for 49 against Australia last year, his age popped up on the screen – 19 years old. More than 12 months later, he already has a collection of wickets that he can be proud of.
As Upul Chandana, who has also coached Wellalage, summed up to RevSportz, “I saw him at the Under-19 level. He was a young boy, 17 years old. He reads the game and the batsman very well. He is a very mature cricketer, he is playing like he has already played 100 matches. In two to three years, he can become the No.1 spin-bowling all-rounder.”
And come the World Cup, Dasun Shanaka and Sri Lanka will trust the young Wellalage to excel under pressure and break a few games open with his multiple skills.