Sri Lanka's First Test Captain Bandula Warnapura Passes Away At 68

Sri Lanka‘s first Test captain Bandula Warnapura passed away on Monday. He was 68 years old at the time of his demise.

He had passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo after he was hospitalised earlier this month.

Deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Bandula Warnapura: Sri Lanka Cricket

The 68-year-old played four Test matches and 12 One Day Internationals (ODIs)  during his international cricketing career from 1975 to 1982.

Sri Lanka Cricket issued a statement to express its grieve over the demise of their former player.

“Sri Lanka Cricket is deeply saddened to learn of the passing away of Bandula Warnapura, Sri Lanka’s first Test captain,” SLC issued a release.

“We wish to express our condolences to the family at this difficult time on behalf of Sri Lanka’s cricketing fraternity,” the release further mentioned.

“It’s Sad to hear the news of SL first test captain Bandula Warnapura’s demise after a brief illness. Thoughts are with his wife and children.. He coached me at Nalanda and was a steady influence in my growth as a cricketer and a person. May you attain Nibbana, Sir,” former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene tweeted.

Bandula Warnapura led Sri Lanka in the first Test against England

Warnapura used to open the innings for Sri Lanka during his playing days and made his ODI debut against West Indies in 1975.

In the next World Cup in 1979, he led Sri Lanka to a famous victory against India and mustered his highest individual ODI score of 77 against Pakistan in the 1981-82 season.

At the age of 28, Warnapura stood as the captain of Sri Lanka in their first-ever Test match against England in Colombo in 1982.

He made scores of 2 and  38 in both his innings, and he soon decided to tour South Africa with the rebel side.

The Rambukkana-born player made his first-class debut against the Indian Universities in 1970.

After his international retirement from the game in 1982, he served as the Sri Lanka national team coach and then later became the Director of Coaching.

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