Sri Lanka’s first Test cricket captain Bandula Warnapura has passed away

Sri Lanka’s first Test Cricket Captain Bandula Warnapura has passed away at the age of 68. Bandula Warnapura had the honour of leading Sri Lanka when the country finally became a fully-fledged Test-playing nation in 1981.

He had been hospitalized earlier this month after he was diagnosed with high sugar levels and according to reports was recovering after having had his right leg amputated.

An opening batsman with a solid technique, Warnapura was also a capable medium-pace bowler. Waranpura also functioned as the coach of the Sri Lankan team as well as an administrator at Sri Lanka Cricket.

He played 4 Test matches and 12 One Day Internationals (ODI) during his international cricketing career from 1975 to 1982.

The finest moment of his career came in the 1979 World Cup when he led Sri Lanka in the place of the injured Anura Tennekoon, and took them to a famous win against India at Old Trafford.

Warnapura captained Sri Lanka on their tours of India and Pakistan. However, when he decided to tour South Africa with rebel team in 1982-83, he was handed a life ban from Sri Lankan cricket.

He captained Sri Lanka in the inaugural Test against England at the P Sara Oval in Colombo in 1982 and went on to play in three more Tests and 12 ODIs before his career was cut short.

Warnapura captained Sri Lanka’s first Test match, and also faced the first delivery and scored the first run for the team. He also opened the bowling for Sri Lanka in the first test match.