Unsung heroes in ODI World Cup victories

3. Asanka Gurusinha - Sri Lanka, 1996

Sri Lanka ended their World Cup trophy drought in 1996, under Arjuna Rantunga’s captaincy. Arvinda de Silva is considered the hero of this stunning trophy triumph as he batted fiercely in the competition and concluded his journey as the third-leading run-getter, with 448 runs in six games at a strike rate of 107.69.

Following de Silva, Asanka Gurusinha ended up as the second-leading run-getter in the team. Batting at the top order, the wicketkeeper batter hit 307 runs with three fifties in six matches. In knockout matches, Gurusinha put up fine shows from his bat. Against England in the quarter-final in Faislabad, it was Gurusinha who stood at the crease and played an impactful 45-run knock to support the Player of the Match Sanath Jayasuriya, after the early fall of Romesh Kaluwitharana while pursuing 236 runs. 

Gurusinha again showcased his mettle against Australia in the final at the Gaddafi Stadium. In the high-octane clash, Australia tasked Sri Lanka to chase 242. Sri Lanka lost their openers Jayasuriya and Kaluwitharana early and found themselves in trouble. Taking matters into his own hands, Gurusinha stitched a 125-run partnership with Aravinda de Silva and brought Sri Lanka back into the game. The left-handed batter lost his wicket to the pacer Paul Reiffel on 65 and became a silent contributor to his team’s massive achievement.