I. Aravinda de Silva plays cricket for the Bulgarian national side. The Youth Observer heard that he scored the maiden T20 century for his national team. We spoke to him about his achievements.
“During the past few months I played several international matches and performed well,” Aravinda said.
He said that he participated in several matches last year. “Í played twelve international T20 matches last year and scored 304 runs,” he said beaming.
“Have you heard of the Sofia T20 tournament? It was one of the major tournaments that I played in. Romania won that tournament and we were placed in the runner-up position. Greece and Serbia won third and fourth positions.
“In that tournament I scored my first T20 hundred for Bulgaria. I faced only sixty balls to score that century. It was a very miraculous innings for me and my team. It included eight fours and the same quantity of sixes,” said Aravinda.
His strike rate for that inning was 166.66. That was a very admirable innings that he played against Serbia.
“After the first wicket fell, I came to the crease and built up my innings. After that innings I heard that I am the 11th player to score a century as a one down batsman,” Aravinda said.
According to statistics he is the second player to hit the most number of sixes in international T20 matches.
“I did not know about that. But I am glad to hear that news,” he said.
“We participated in a tournament in Malta for the Valletta cup. However, we lost in the semi-finals and finished in third place in that tournament. However, I have been performing better than other Bulgarian cricketers. It was a personal triumph that I was rated in fourth place out of all the batsmen who participated in that tournament,” Aravinda said.
Malta, the host country, won the Valletta Cup and Switzerland was the runner-up.
“Sports is a way of life. You win some matches and you lose some. But we must never give up, but fight to the best of our ability,” he said with a laugh.
His achievements are a tribute to the legendary Sri Lanka cricketer Aravinda de Silva.
“Yes, it is an admirable name that my parents gave me. My father, who has been living in the United Kingdom few decades, is a great cricket fan. Sri Lanka’s World Cup victory in 1996 and the world-class batsman ship of Aravinda de Silva influenced my parents to give me that name.
“You know most cricket lovers are familiar with Aravinda de Silva’s cricket prowess. That name has been honed into my life. Some people think that I am the son of legendary batsman Aravinda de Silva. I always try to protect my status as a cricketer and as a person.
“When people I meet ask me whether senior Aravainda is related to me. I tell them that there is no relationship. But as a medical student I know all humans are related. We are Homo Sapiens Sapiens. However, I am not going to try to explain it. One day mankind will realise it. Then they will stop their fight for power,” junior Aravinda de Silva said.
Junior Aravinda has been living in the United Kingdom since he was two and half years old.
“I do not have a clear memory about life in Sri Lanka or relations in my motherland. But I have come to Sri Lanka a few times and stayed a few days. The climate is the problem. I am ashamed to admit it as a Sri Lankan. But I cannot bear the hot climate in Sri Lanka,” he said.
I asked him how he came to play cricket for the Bulgarian national team when he was living in the United Kingdom.
“I came to Bulgaria for my higher studies. My father and mother want me to become a doctor and I entered Sofia University in Bulgaria. Then I began to play cricket for the Sofia Medic team.
“My talent built up my reputation in the team. The officials of Bulgaria cricket invited me to join their national pool and I performed well with them. Finally, I won a place in the national team of Bulgaria. That is how I joined the Bulgarian cricket team,” he said.
Junior Aravinda de Silva will complete his medical degree next year. Then he plans to go back to the United Kingdom and start his medical practice.
“‘I don’t know what will happen in the future. Can I represent Bulgarian national team? However, after completing my degree I will return to the UK and start my profession. Then I will not be able to represent the Bulgarian team. However, I will never give up cricket and will play minor county cricket in England. That is how much I love to play cricket,” he said.
“As a cricketer I enjoy my sports life. I always considered senior Aravinda as a role model. This year we are busy with cricket and I wish to perform well this season,” he said happily.
The Youth Observer wishes him success in his future endeavours.
