Bhanuka Rajapaksa is not related to Sri Lanka’s former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa or former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. In fact, he has got nothing to do with politics. But it was after a discussion with one politician (Mahinda’s son and former Sri Lanka sports minister Namal Rajapaksa) that Bhanuka decided to come out of retirement 10 days after quitting international cricket at the start of this year citing family obligations. It wasn’t all rosy when Bhanuka again made himself available for international cricket.

The 30-year-old was not considered for Sri Lanka’s tour of India earlier in February for failing a YoYo test. But skill and ability are equally important in sports as fitness is. Something that Bhanuka proved with his consistent showing which was pivotal to Sri Lanka’s triumph in the just-concluded Asia Cup. “It was an unpopular decision when the then sports minister got Bhanuka back in Sri Lanka’s scheme of things after persuading him to come out of retirement.

His fitness was a major issue then and continues to be,” a source in Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) told The Telegraph on Monday. “Bhanuka had made sure to reduce his weight thereafter. But if he’s asked to appear for a fitness test tomorrow, he might again fail to clear that. However, he has proved that his skills can win Sri Lanka a multi-team event, which matters much more than clearing a fitness test with distinction,” the source added.

Silverwood role

Chris Silverwood, after his appointment as head coach in April, did have a role in Bhanuka’s comeback to the national team. This, in spite of current chief selector Pramodya Wickremasinghe’s apparent reservations about the left-hander. “(Former head coach) Mickey Arthur didn’t like Bhanuka mainly because of his fitness problems. But Silverwood had made it clear that he needed someone in the team who could clear the ground comfortably, and Bhanuka fits the bill,” the source pointed out.

His power-hitting ability aside, what also stood out in this Asia Cup was Bhanuka’s excellent temperament and composure batting at No.5. Especially during his unbeaten 71 in Sunday’s final against Pakistan and the 25 not out at a tricky period of the Super Four game versus India when Sri Lanka had to chase down a challenging 174-run target.

IPL experience

The nine appearances he made for Punjab Kings in this year’s IPL also helped Bhanuka gain more in terms of experience. His overall figures weren’t really outstanding, but the strike rate (159.69) certainly was. And he did clear the fitness test ahead of the IPL. “We saw in him an ideal fit for the one-down position: a hard-hitting left-hander. He’s also a good backup ‘keeper. He had cleared the fitness test too, so we had no concerns,” Kings CEO Satish Menon said.