Young at heart

He is an orthodox left-arm spinner who represented Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, and has taken over from Muthiah Muralitharan as Sri Lanka’s main wicket-taking bowler. In Test matches he has taken 405 wickets, thus becoming the first left-arm spinner in the history of Test cricket to achieve this feat. He has represented English county side Hampshire and his strengths are his accuracy and his ability to bowl long spells. To that he has added a ‘mystery’ ball, a delivery that is quicker and darts back into the right-hander. Today we go Off the Field with this dedicated Sri Lankan cricketer Rangana Herath, who is young at heart.

Full Name - Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana

Keerthi Bandara Herath

Hometown - Kurunegala

Status - Married

Birthday- March 19

Pasion - Cricket

Favourite Colour - Blue

Q. What made you to enter the world of sports?

From a small age, I’ve seen my elder brother playing cricket. I always wanted to grow up and play cricket to be like my brother and that’s where I found inspiration to enter the arena of sports.

Q. Who has supported you most?

My family and my wife, all my coaches and my employer Sampath Bank which took care of my financial side from the beginning of my career till to-date. I’ve worked for them for the past 18 years.

Q. What made you to choose this sport of cricket?

I love this game and got lots of respect through this game.

Q. What are your favourite leisure time activities?

Spending time with my family and two sons.

Q. What are the top priorities in your life?

My family.

Q. Who is your favourite singer?

Victor Ratnayaka and Somathilaka Jayamaha to name a few.

Q. What is your favourite song?

I don’t have a favourite song as such but mostly I like slow music.

Q. What were your most unforgettable memory/incident?

The day my loved ones - my father, mother and my elder sister passed away and the day I played my first Test match against Australia, and being a member when we won the World T20 in 2014.

Q. What’s your favourite holiday destination?

Australia.

Q. What is the greatest accomplishment in your life?

When I became the first left-arm spinner in the history of Test cricket to take 400 Test wickets.

Q. If you had one day left to live, what would you do?

I will spend the whole day with my family.

Q.Who do you sometimes compare yourself to?

I don’t really compare myself to anyone, since I have a style of my own, but I like Aravinda aiya (De Silva) as he is one of my all-time favourites.

Q. What’s the best compliment you have received?

My two sons.

Q.Are you happy with all your achievements?

Definitely yes

Q. Who is your favourite sportsman?

It’s Aravinda aiya (De Silva) and Murali (Muthiah Muralitharan) for sure.

Q. What’s your favourite movie?

All Sinhala movies

Q. Who’s your favourite actor?

Not a single person as such but I like Kamal Addaraarachchi and Mahendra Perera.

Q. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

Yes, definitely am doing what I believe in.

Q. How would you describe yourself in two words?

Patience, Dedication.