On the occasion of his 59th birthday on 17 October 2024, Sri Lankan cricket legend Aravinda de Silva has been honoured with a heartfelt open letter from a devoted Indian fan Abhishek AB who recounts the impact of de Silva's illustrious career on the sport and on those who grew up watching him. The letter posted on 'X' formally known as twitter, reminisces about de Silva's iconic performances and fearless approach to the game, beginning with his early years when he fearlessly faced world-class bowlers like Kapil Dev and Imran Khan.

Full letter:

An Open Letter to Aravinda de Silva on his 59th Birthday

As a lifelong fan, I’m at a loss for words when it comes to expressing just how much you’ve meant to the game and to all of us who grew up watching you. At just 5ft 3½ inches, you didn’t just play cricket; you redefined it. You weren’t merely an entertainer; you were an artist, painting a masterpiece with every shot. Your incredible footwork, sharp judgment, and extraordinary eye for the ball made every delivery seem like another stroke of brilliance. You could read a bowler's intentions almost as soon as the ball left their hand—an ability that set you apart from the rest.

I still remember how my father would tell me during my childhood about those little yet iconic moments, like when you played against India for the first time in Tests and smashed the first ball of the fourth innings for a six off Kapil Dev. Or on your 20th birthday, when you took on the great Imran Khan and sent him for a towering six on the leg side to bring up your first Test hundred. That fearlessness was just a glimpse of what was to come as you and Sri Lankan cricket embarked on an incredible journey together, lifting a nation from its early struggles to the pinnacle of world cricket.

In those early days, Sri Lanka may have been the underdogs—smiling, talented, but often on the losing side. Yet, you were always there, a quiet force, crafting your way to greatness with grace and determination. We remember you as "Mad Max": a daring batsman with an insatiable hunger to dominate, lighting up every match with flashes of brilliance. For many, it’s easy to focus on raw numbers, but for us, it was never just about the stats. It was the magic you brought to the game, the joy you instilled in every fan.

And then came that unforgettable 1996 World Cup. You didn’t just lead Sri Lanka to victory; you made history! In the final against my team, Australia, your all-round brilliance—three wickets with your cunning off-spin and a dazzling century—was nothing short of heroic. But it’s the semi-final at Eden Gardens that still stands out. Battling sickness, you walked in with Sri Lanka in trouble and silenced a 100,000-strong crowd with a batting masterclass, hitting 14 boundaries in just 47 deliveries. Calm, controlled, and precise; you weren’t just attacking for survival; you were taking the game to the next level. That moment mesmerized me as a 5-year-old boy, and today, as a 33-year-old, it still resonates.

For a few golden years, you stood alongside legends like Tendulkar and Lara, unstoppable between 1997 and 1999, scoring runs with breathtaking consistency. And even when the fire seemed to fade, you found a way to return at 37, after shedding 12 kilos, showing us all flashes of the Aravinda we adored. Though it wasn’t the sustained brilliance of your prime, you remained a middle-order force, capable of single-handedly changing the course of any match.

All Sri Lankan fans must remember the heartbreak of your run-out in the 2003 World Cup semi-final, knowing that your dismissal signaled the end of Sri Lanka's hopes. But even then, your importance to the team was undeniable; your presence alone lifted the spirits of every fan and player. You may not have had the consistency of a Sangakkara or the explosive hundreds of Sanath, but in those fleeting magical moments, you achieved heights that very few could. You brought a kind of magic to cricket that lives on in our hearts.

Here’s to you, Aravinda—the legend, the magician, the soul of Sri Lankan cricket. Happy Birthday!