Aravinda speaks his heart out on being inducted to ICC Hall of Fame

• It’s a tribute to the dedication, sacrifice, and love that have shaped my cricketing journey – Aravinda 

Sri Lanka cricketing legend Aravinda de Silva said that it was a tribute to the dedication, sacrifice, and love that had shaped his cricketing journey, after being picked as one of three inductees to the ICC Hall of Fame.

“I am filled with profound gratitude as I accept the immense honour of being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. My family, my parents, my sister, my wife and children are my anchor, and deserve the deepest thanks for their unwavering support and sacrifice, which have propelled me towards success. My friends, steadfast companions throughout my highs and lows, have been my pillars of strength.”

“To my coaches, teachers, fans and supporters, your relentless belief in me has fuelled my drive to succeed. My mentors and captains have guided and inspired me, and my teammates have been my extended family on this incredible journey. To the ones I have played against, thank you for enriching my game.”

“My sincere appreciation goes to the ICC, and the Hall of Fame voting committee for this extraordinary recognition. I share this honour with all who have stood by and shaped me. Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey.”

In a remarkable career De Silva played in 93 Tests – 6,361 runs at an average of 42.97, 29 wickets and in 308 ODIs – 9,284 runs at an average of 34.90, 106 wickets.

De Silva made his Test debut at Lord’s in 1984 and scored 75 as Sri Lanka recorded the first Test win in their history a year later, defeating India at Colombo. A first Test century followed against a Pakistan attack of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Abdul Qadir at Faisalabad the following month, and in 1991 he struck a then-national record individual score of 267 against New Zealand at Wellington.

The all-rounder was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s World Cup winning campaign in 1996, and his contributions during a memorable final against Australia in Lahore are written in cricket folklore. De Silva took three key wickets with his off-spin to restrict Australia’s score, before scoring an unbeaten 107 to navigate his side out of trouble to win their maiden global crown. He was the first to score a century and take three wickets in the same World Cup match and is still the only one to do so in a Final.

He signed off from Test cricket in 2002 with a double-century in his final innings and retired from all international cricket after the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2003.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag and the first Indian female inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame Diana Edulji thanks to a 17-year international playing career are the others who will be honoured as part of this year’s celebrations, the Class of 2023 which will be inducted in a special on-field ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai during the first semi-final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on 15 November.