117th Battle of the Maroons kicks off on Friday

Dharmaraja College will go in as the firm favored team when they meet Kingswood College in their 117th Battle of the Maroons at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium (PICS) on 22 and 23 of March.

This encounter is played for T B Tennekoon Trophy. Dharmaraja are leading the tally with 36 wins against Kingswoodians 19 while rest of them ending in no decisions. Kingswood is led by Nenuka Dissanayake while Rajans are led by Dulara Bandulasena.

Kingswood skipper, Nenuka took over 25 wickets this season while Adil Sherif scored well over 500 runs with the best of a cracking century against President College Kotte. Kenula Pihilianga left arm orthodox spin took over 45 wickets. He is the main weapon for the Kingswoodians. His best was 8 for 40 (Match bag of 11 for 108) against St Mary’s Kegalle. Kavija Gamage vice-Captain scored over 750 runs with 2 centuries 100 against St Mary’s Kegalle and 107 against Dudley Senanayake College.

Kingswoodians featured in 10 games winning 4 of them and drawn another 3 more. They are coached by former Antonians top class wicket and keeper, former District Coach of Sri Lanka Cricket, Suresh Peiris.

Rajans are led by Dulara Bandulasena, 5th year coloursman. Left hand batsman and left arm spinner. He has taken 50 plus wickets with two 5 wicket hauls and a one 10 wicket haul. His deputy is national youth player, Pulindu Perera 4th year Dagoba holder is the main weapon for the Rajans in this encounter. Left handed Pulindu represented Under 19 West Indies tour scoring  one century and two half centuries with a total of 280 runs. Further he represented Pakistan tour scoring one century and two  half centuries with a total of 310 runs, represented the national  team at Asia cup with a total of 113 runs, Under 19 World Cup 2024 in South Africa scored one half century with a total of 127 runs.

Pulindu has scored 830 runs for the Under 19 national team and scored 500 plus runs with 1 century and 3 fifties for Dharmaraja College this season missing out more than 7 matches in the school season.

Rajans had a very good season featuring in 13 games and winning 7 of them and drawing 4 of their encounters. Former Rajans player, Senaka Dissanayake is coaching Dharmaraja.